32 
MEMOIR OF DR. LATHAM. 
could find described in the works of Spix, Temminck, &c., within a few days of 
his death. 
The only paper that we are aware of his having published in periodicals, was 
an admirable article on the tracheae of birds, in an early volume of the Linncean 
Transactions. 
The hand-writing of our naturalist at the time when his sight began to fail, 
was as strong and decided as that of most men at thirty; a fact easily to be 
believed when it is stated that the autograph under his portrait in our present 
number, is taken from a letter addressed to Mr. Neville Wood in the ninety- 
sixth year of his age. We cannot refrain from publishing the following letter, 
proving the kind and courteous spirit, and the clearness of mind which he retained 
at so advanced an age. To have afforded some solace to the latter days of a 
man whom we have ever held in the most sincere respect, is, moreover, no small 
privilege:— 
Dr. Lati-iam to Neville Wood, Esq. 
Winchester , June 6, 1836. 
My dear Sir, —I cannot lose more time in acknowledging the kindness with 
which you have presented me with your valuable little work, the honour you 
have done me in inscribing it to my name, and the very handsome manner in 
which you have noticed my work in the “ Text-Book.” 
I assure you that although my infirmities prevent my wonted enjoyment of 
literature, I have much gratification in the attention paid me by my literary 
friends; and I must beg to say that you have tended to solace me for my loss 
of sight, by your kind manner of receiving my apparent indifference to your 
communications. 
I have added to my library your very interesting book on u British Song 
Birds ” which my grand-children have been reading to me; and I think it 
peculiarly adapted to charm, as well as to enlarge their minds. I hope you will 
feel yourself rewarded for the trouble your writings must have cost you, by 
finding that your labours are appreciated, and that they prove generally useful 
to the world. 
Begging once more to assure you of my sincere thanks for your kindness, 
I remain, my dear Sir, 
Very sincerely yours, 
John Latham. 
Dr. Latham’s end was rapid, but not unexpected—not the effects of disease, 
but of exhaustion—the taper burnt fairly out. Four days before his death he 
exhibited an unusual vivacity, and a sprightliness almost unnatural. This was 
