34 
NOTICE OF PROFESSOR ARAGO. 
gunners; bad aim to their barrels, and may a hearty rebound make sore their 
shoulders, every time they thus wantonly slay the most elegant creatures of the 
almighty world ! 
This has been a “Waterloo day” with my friends the Rooks, save that the 
carnage has been all on one side. The sounding guns e’en now “ report progress” 
of the slaughter, whilst the affrighted old birds are hying over, with “ most- 
musical-most-melancholy” cawing. The worthy owner of the location of the 
sable tribe, in this place, had determined upon preserving them this season ; but 
the keeper told a tale in his game-ears of their misdoings, that he had “ trapped 
a Rook at a Pheasant’s nest, two eggs suck’d, and two more broken,” his beak 
tinged yellow with the crime, and his very look guilty; so the fiat was issued 
for their partial destruction, as in former years ; for the caws or cause of Rooks 
versus Game, can never stand long in the court of a sportsman, without issue, 
especially with the powerful pleading of a gamekeeper against them. 
As usual I have filled my sheet with scribbling, only leaving room to subscribe 
myself, 
Dear Sir, 
Most respectfully yours, 
Stoke-Ferrie , Norfolk , Richard Pigott. 
May 23, 1839. 
THE NATURALIST’S LITERARY PORTRAIT-GALLERY.* 
(Continued from Vol. IV., p. 442.) 
No. VI.— Professor Arago. 
We regret our inability to furnish an extended biographical sketch of the 
eminent meteorologist and astronomer whose portrait adorns the present number 
of The Naturalist; but have much pleasure in presenting the following interesting 
character of M. Arago, translated from Timor’s Etudes des Orateurs. The 
brilliant and penetrating eye, the lofty forehead, and well-shaped head, in the 
portrait, amply confirm the ensuing observations. 
When M. Arago rises, the whole Chamber is in an attitude of curiosity, 
attends, and is silent. The spectators lean forward to see him. His stature is 
tall, his hair curling, and his fine “meridional” head sways the assembly. 
* This series—comprising zoologists, botanists, geologists, and meteorologists, and including both 
scientific and popular naturalists—will be continued every alternate month, each memoir being 
accompanied by a portrait and autograph.—E d, 
