1839-40 CHARLES LUCIEN BONAPARTE 155 
glorious election by the French Institute and upon 
your triumph over the first luminaries of Germany. 
You know that I refused standing against you, 
and my friendship in this case was more useful to 
myself than to you. The scientific friend who 
has announced me your election reminds me of 
my withdrawing before you, and adds “ Vous 
avez eu la modestie ” (“bien rare,” he could have 
added, in France, “ chez les hommes de votre 
note”). We shall see now whether I shall be 
elected at the first election for the remaining 
vacancy, which is to take place on the loth or 17th 
of March. I confess I should much prefer to be 
elected a member of the Royal Society, for It 
would help me in the accomplishment of my 
favourite plan, the periodical meetings of the 
scientific men in Italy. You will know shortly 
the particulars ; I can only say now that we shall 
meet on October i at a preparatory meeting at 
Pisa. Can we not hope to see you and other 
eminent Englishmen among us ? We also have 
done ourselves the honour of electing you a 
member of our Academia dei Lincei, which holds 
their meeting in the capital ! . . . Present my 
respectful compliments to Mrs. Owen, and bear 
in mind you have in me a profound admirer, and 
a friend who wishes to be tried in any occurrence. 
‘ Your most affectionate and devoted 
‘ Charles L. Bonaparte, 
‘ Prince of Musignano.’ 
