第1章

“Defimoadexcelsa。”

J-H。Fabre。

WITHAPREFACEBYJEAN-HENRIFABRE。

TRANSLATEDBYBERNARDMIALL。

PREFACE。

Thegoodfriendwhohassosuccessfullyterminatedthetaskwhichhefeltavocationtoundertakethoughtitwouldbeofadvantagetocompleteitbypresentingtothereaderapicturebothofmylifeasawholeandoftheworkwhichithasbeengivenmetoaccomplish。

Thebettertoaccomplishhisundertaking，heabstractedfrommycorrespondence，aswellasfromthelongconversationswhichwehavesooftenenjoyedtogether，agreatnumberofthosememoriesofvaryingimportancewhichserveaslandmarksinlife；aboveallinalifelikemine，notexemptfrommanycares，yetnotveryfruitfulinincidentsorgreatvicissitudes，sinceithasbeenpassedverylargely，inespecialduringthelastthirtyyears，inthemostabsoluteretirementandthecompletestsilence。

Moreover，itwasnotunimportanttowarnthepublicagainsttheerrors，exaggerations，andlegendswhichhavecollectedaboutmyperson，andthustosetallthingsintheirtruelight。

Inundertakingthistaskmydevoteddisciplehastosomeextentbeenabletoreplacethose“Memoirs“whichhesuggestedthatIshouldwrite，andwhichonlymybadhealthhaspreventedmefromundertaking；forIfeelthathenceforthIamdonewithwidehorizonsand“far-reachingthoughts。”

Andyetonreadingnowtheoldletterswhichhehasexhumedfromamassofoldyellowpapers，andwhichhehaspresentedandco-ordinatedwithsopiousacare，itseemstomethatinthedepthsofmybeingIcanstillfeelrisinginmeallthefeverofmyearlyyears，alltheenthusiasmoflongago，andthatIshouldstillbenolessardentaworkerwerenottheweaknessofmyeyesandthefailureofmystrengthto-dayaninsurmountableobstacle。

Thoroughlygraspingthefactthatonecannotwriteabiographywithoutenteringintothesphereofthoseideaswhichalonemakealifeinteresting，hehasrevivedaroundmethatworldwhichIhavesolongcontemplated，andsummarizedinastrikingepitome，andasastrictinterpreter，mymethods(whichare，aswillbeseen，withinthereachofall)，myideas，andthewholebodyofmyworksanddiscoveries；anddespitetheobviousdifficultywhichsuchanattemptwouldappeartopresent，hehassucceededmostwonderfullyinachievingthemostlucid，complete，andvitalexpositionofthesemattersthatIcouldpossiblyhavewished。

Jean-HenriFabre。

Sérignan，Vaucluse，November12，1911。

INTRODUCTION。

HereIoffertothepublicthelifeofJean-HenriFabre；atonceanadmiringcommentaryuponhisworkandanactofpioushomage，suchasoughttobeoffered，whilehelives，tothegreatnaturalistwhoisevento-daysolittleknown。

HithertoitwasnoteasytospeakofHenriFabrewithexactitude。Anenemytoalladvertisement，hehassodiscreetlyheldhimselfwithdrawnthatonemightalmostsaythathehasencouraged，byhissilence，manydoubtfulorunfoundedrumours，whichincourseoftimewouldbecomeevenmoreincorrect。

Forexample，althoughquiterecentlyhismaterialsituationwaspresentedinthegloomiestoflights，whileithadreallyforsometimeceasedtobeprecarious，itisnonethelesstruethatduringhiswholelifehehashadtolabourprodigiouslyinordertoearnalittlemoneytofeedandrearhisfamily，tothegreatdetrimentofhisscientificinquiries；andwecannotbutregretthathewasnotfreedfromallmaterialcaresatleasttwentyyearsearlierthanwasthecase。

Buthewasnotonetospeakofhistroublestothefirstcomer；anditwasonlyafterthesixthvolumeofthe“Souvenirsentomologiques“hadappearedthathisreservewassomewhatmitigated。Yetitwasnecessarythatheshouldspeakofthesetroubles，thatheshouldtelleverything；and，thankstohisconversationandhisletters，Ihavebeenabletorevivethepast。

AmongthegreatestofmypleasuresIcountthenotablehonourofhavingknownhim，andintimately。AsanabsorbedandattentivewitnessIwaspresentattheaccomplishmentofhislastlabours；Iwatchedhislastyearsofwork，socritical，sotouching，soforsaken，beforehisultimateresurrection。WhatfruitfulandsuggestivelessonsIlearnedinhiscompany，aswepacedthewindingpathsofhisHarmas；orwhileIsatbesidehim，athispatriarchaltable，interrogatingthatmemoryofhis，sorichinremembrancesthateventheremotesteventsofhislifewereasneartohimasthosethathadonlythenbefallenhim；sothatthemajorityofthejudgmentstobefoundinthisbook，ofwhichnotalinehasbeenwrittenwithouthisapproval，mayberegardedasthedirectemanationofhismind。

AsfaraspossibleIhaveallowedhimtospeakhimself。Hashenotsketchedthefinestpagesofhis“biographyofasolitarystudent“inthoseracychaptersofhis“Souvenirs“：thoseinwhichhehasdevelopedhisgenesisasanaturalistandthehistoryoftheevolutionofhisideas？

(Introduction/1。)InallcasesIhaveonlyintroducedsuchindicationsaswereessentialtocompletethesequenceofevents。Itwouldhavebeenidletore-tellinthesametermswhateveryonemayreadelsewhere，ortorepeatindifferentandlesshappytermswhatFabrehimselfhastoldsowell。

Ihavethereforeappliedmyselfmoreespeciallytofillingthegapswhichhehasleft，bylisteningtohisconversation，byappealingtohismemories，byquestioninghiscontemporaries，byrecordingtheimpressionsofhissometimepupils。Ihaveendeavouredtoassembleallthesedata，inordertoauthenticatethem，andhavealsogleanedmanyfactsamonghismanuscripts(Introduction/2。)，andhavehadrecoursetoallthatportionofhiscorrespondencewhichfortunatelyfellintomyhands。

Thiscorrespondence，tobetruthful，doesnotappearatanytimetohavebeenveryassiduous。Fabre，asweshallseeinthestoryofhislife(Introduction/3。)，dislikedwritingletters，bothinhisstudiousyouthandduringthelaterperiodofisolationandsilence。

Ontheotherhand，althoughhewrotebutlittle，heneverwrotewithdifficultyorasamerematterofduty。AmongalltheletterswhichIhavesucceededincollectingtherearescarcelyanythatarenotofinterestfromonepointofvieworanother。Nofrivolousnarratives，nofutileacquaintances，nocommonplaceintimacies；everythinginhislifeisserious，andeverythingmakesforagoal。

Butwemustsetapart，assurpassingallothersininterest，theletterswhichFabreaddressedtohisbrotherduringtheyearsspentasschoolmasteratCarpentrasorAjaccio；forthesearemoreespeciallyinstructiveinrespectofthealmostunknownyearsofhisyouth；thesemostofallrevealhispersonalityandareoneofthefinestillustrationsthatcouldbegivenofhislife，atruepoemofenergyanddisinterestedlabour。

IhavetothankM。FrédéricFabre，who，inhisfraternalpiety，hasgenerouslyplacedallhisfamilyrecordsatmydisposal，andalsohistwosons，mydearfriendsAntoninFabre，councillorattheCourtofN？mes，andHenriFabre，ofAvignon，forthesepreciousdocuments；andItakethisopportunityofexpressingmyprofoundgratitude。

Letmeatthesametimethankallthosewhohaveassociatedthemselveswithmyeffortsbysupplyingmewithlettersintheirpossessionandfurnishingmewithpersonalinformation；andinparticularMmeHenryDevillario，M。

Achard，andM。J。Belleudy，ex-prefectofVaucluse；notforgettingM。LouisCharrasse，teacheratBeaumont-d’Orange，andM。Vayssières，professoroftheFacultyofSciencesatMarseilles，allofwhomIhavetothankforpersonalandintimateinformation。

ImustalsoexpressmygratitudetoM。HenriBergson，ProfessorBouvier，andthelearnedM。PaulMarchalfortheadviceandthevaluablesuggestionswhichtheyofferedmeduringthepreparationofthisbook。

Ishallfeelfullyrepaidformypainsifthis“Life“ofoneofthegreatestoftheworld’snaturalists，byenablingmentoknowhimbetter，alsoleadsthemtolovehimthemore。

FABRE，POETOFSCIENCE。

CHAPTER1。THEINTUITIONOFNATURE。

Eachthingcreated，saysEmerson，hasitspainteroritspoet。Liketheenchantedprincessofthefairy-tales，itawaitsitspredestinedliberator。

Everypartofnaturehasitsmysteryanditsbeauty，itslogicanditsexplanation；andtheepigraphgivenmebyFabrehimself，whichappearsonthetitle-pageofthisvolume，isinnowaydeceptive。Thetinyinsectsburiedinthesoilorcreepingoverleaforbladehaveforhimbeensufficienttoevokethemostimportant，themostfascinatingproblems，andhaverevealedawholeworldofmiracleandpoetry。

HesawthelightatSaint-Léons，alittlecommuneofthecantonofVezinsintheHautRouergue，onthe22ndDecember，1823，somesevenyearsearlierthanMistral，hismostfamousneighbour，thegreaterlustreofwhosecelebritywastoeclipsehisown。

Hereheessayedhisearlieststeps；herehestammeredhisfirstsyllables。

Hisearlychildhood，however，waspassedalmostwhollyatMalaval，atinyhamletintheparishofLavaysse，whosebelfrywasvisibleatquiteashortdistance；buttoreachitonehadtotravelnearlytwenty-fiverough，mountainousmiles，throughawholegreencountryside；green，butbare，andlackingincharm。(1/1。)

AllhispaternalforebearscamefromMalaval，andthenceonedayhisfather，AntoineFabre，cametodwellatSaint-Léons，asaconsequenceofhismarriagewiththedaughterofthehuissier，VictoireSalgues，andinordertopreparehimself，asworkingapprentice，inthetricksandquibblesofthelaw。(1/2。)

IntheroadsofMalaval，borderedwithbrambles，inthegladesofbracken，andamidthemeadowsofbroom，hereceivedhisfirstimpressionsofnature。

AtMalavaltoolivedhisgrandmother，thegoodoldwomanwhocouldlullhimtosleepatnightwithbeautifulstoriesandsimplelegends，whileshewoundherdistafforspunherbobbin。

Butwhatwerealltheseimaginarymarvels，whatweretheogreswhosmeltfreshmeat，or“thefairieswhoturnedpumpkinsintocoachesandlizardsintofootmen“besideallthemarvelsofreality，whichalreadyhewasbeginningtoperceive？

Foraboveallthingshewasbornapoet：apoetbyinstinctandbyvocation。Fromhisearliestchildhood，“thebrainhardlyreleasedfromtheswaddling-bandsofunconsciousness。”thethingsoftheouterworldleftaprofoundandlivingimpression。Asfarbackashecanremember，whilestillquiteachild，“alittlemonkeyofsix，stilldressedinalittlebaizefrock。”orjust“wearinghisfirstbraces。”heseeshimself“inecstasybeforethesplendoursofthewing-casesofagardener-beetle，orthewingsofabutterfly。”Atnightfall，amongthebushes，helearnedtorecognizethechirpofthegrasshopper。Toputitinhisownwords，“hemadefortheflowersandinsectsasthePierismakesforthecabbageandtheVanessamakesforthenettle。”Therichesoftherocks；thelifewhichswarmsinthedepthofthewaters；theworldofplantsandanimals，that“prodigiouspoem；allnaturefilledhimwithcuriosityandwonder。”“Avoicecharmedhim；untranslatable；sweeterthanlanguageandvagueasadream。”(1/3。)

Thesepeculiaritiesareallthemoreastonishinginthattheyseemtobeabsolutelyspontaneousandinnowisehereditary。Whathisparentswerehehimselfhastoldus：smallfarmers，cultivatingalittleunprofitableland；

poor“husbandmen，sowersofrye，cowherds“；andinthewretchedsurroundingsofhischildhood，whentheonlylight，ofanevening，camefromasplinterofpine，steepedinresin，whichwasheldbyastripofslatestuckintothewall；whenhisfolkshutthemselvesinthebyre，intimesofseverecold，tosavealittlefirewoodandwhileawaytheevenings；whencloseathand，throughthebitterwind，theyheardthehowlingofthewolves：here，itwouldseem，wasnothingpropitioustothebirthofsuchtastes，ifhehadnotbornethemnaturallywithinhim。

Butisitnottheveryessenceofgenius，asitisthepeculiarityofinstinct，tospringfromthedepthsoftheinvisible？

Yetwhoshallsaywhatstoresofthoughtunspoken，whatunknowntreasuresofobservationnevertobecommunicated，whatpatientreflectionsunuttered，maybehousedinthosetoil-wornbrains，inwhich，perhaps，slowlyandobscurely，accumulatethegermsoffacultiesandtalentsbywhichsomemorefavoureddescendantmayonedaybenefit？Howmanypoetshavediedunpublishedorunperceived，inwhomonlythepowerofexpressionwaslacking！

WhenhewassevenyearsoldhisparentsrecalledhimtoSaint-Léons，inordertosendhimtotheschoolkeptbyhisgodfather，PierreRicard，thevillageschoolmaster，“atoncebarber，bellringer，andsingerinthechoir。”Rembrandt，Teniers，norVanOstadeneverpaintedanythingmorepicturesquethantheroomwhichservedatthesametimeaskitchen，refectory，andbedroom，with“halfpennyprintspaperingthewalls“and“ahugechimney，forwhicheachhadtobringhislogofamorninginordertoenjoytherighttoaplaceatthefireside。”

Hewasnevertoforgetthesebelovedplaces，blessedscenesofhischildhood，amidwhichhegrewuplikealittlesavage，andthroughallhismaterialsufferings，allhishoursofbitterness，andevenintheresignationofage，theiridyllicmemorysufficedtomakehislifefragrant。Hewouldalwaysseethehumblepaternalgarden，thebrookwhereheusedtosurprisethecrayfish，theash-treeinwhichhefoundhisfirstgoldfinch’snest，and“theflatstoneonwhichheheard，forthefirsttime，themellowringingofthebellringerfrog。”(1/4。)Later，whenwritingtohisbrother，hewastorecallthegooddaysofstillcarelesslife，when“hewouldsprawl，thesunonhisbelly，onthemossesofthewoodofVezins，eatinghisblackbreadandcream“or“ringthebellsofSaint-Léons“and“pullthetailsofthebullsofLavaysse。”(1/5。)

ForHenrihadabrother，Frédéric，barelytwoyearsyoungerthanhe；

equallymeditativebynature，andofaserious，uprightmind；buthistastesinclinedrathertomattersofadministrationandtheunderstandingofbusiness，sothatwhereFrédéricwasbored，Henriwasmorethancontent，thirstilydrinkinginscienceandpoetry“amongthebluecampanulasofthehills，thepinkheatherofthemountains，thegoldenbuttercupsofthemeadows，andtheodorousbrackenofthewoods。”(1/6。)Apartfromthisthetwobrothers“wereone“；theyunderstoodoneanotherinamarvellousfashion，andalwayslovedoneanother。HenrineverfailedtowatchoverFrédéricwithawhollyfatherlysolicitude；hewasprodigalofadvice，helpfulwithhisexperience，doinghisbesttosmoothawayalldifficulties，encouraginghimtowalkinhisfootstepsandmakehiswaythroughtheworldbehindhim。Hewashisconfidant，givinganeartoallthatbefellhimofgoodorill；tohisfears，hisdisappointments，hishopes，andallhisthoughts；andhetookthekeenestinterestinhisstudiesandresearches。Ontheotherhand，hehadnomoresureanddevotedfriend；nonemoreproudofhisfirstsuccess，andinlaterdaysnomoreenthusiasticadmirer，andnonemoreeagerforhisfame。(1/7。)

Hewastwelveyearsoldwhenhisfather，“thefirstofallhisline，wastemptedbythetown。”andledallhisfamilytoRodez，theretokeepacafé。Thefuturenaturalistenteredtheschoolofthistown，whereheservedMassonSunday，inthechapel，inordertopayhisfees。Thereagainhewasinterestedintheanimalcreationaboveall。WhenhebegantoconstrueVirgiltheonlythingthatcharmedhim，andwhichheremembered，wasthelandscapeinwhichthepersonsofthepoemmove，inwhicharesomany“exquisitedetailsconcerningthecicada，thegoat，andthelaburnum。”

Thusfouryearswentby：butthenhisparentswereconstrainedtoseektheirfortuneelsewhere，andtransportedtheirhouseholdtoToulouse，whereagainthefatherkeptacafé。TheyoungHenriwasadmittedgratuitouslytotheseminaryoftheEsquille，wherehemanagedtocompletehisfifthyear。

Unfortunatelyhisprogresswassooninterruptedbyanewexodusonthepartofhisfamily，whichemigratedthistimetoMontpellier，wherehewashauntedforatimebydreamsofmedicine，towhichheseemednotablyadapted。Finally，arunofbadluckpersisting，hehadtobidfarewelltohisstudiesandgainhisbreadasbesthecould。Weseehimsetoutalongthewidewhiteroads：lost，almostawanderer，seekinghislivingbythesweatofhisbrow；onedaysellinglemonsatthefairofBeaucaire，underthearcadesofthemarketorbeforethebarracksofthePré；anotherdayenlistinginagangoflabourerswhowereworkingonthelinefromBeaucairetoN？mes，whichwastheninprocessofconstruction。Heknewgloomydays，lonelyanddespairing。Whatwashedoing？ofwhatwashedreaming？Theloveofnatureandthepassionforlearningsustainedhiminspiteofall，andoftenservedhimasnourishment；asonthedaywhenhedinedonafewgrapes，pluckedfurtivelyattheedgeofafield，afterexchangingthepoorremnantofhislasthalfpenceforalittlevolumeofReboul’spoems；soothinghishungerbyrecitingtheversesofthegentlebaker-poet。Oftensomecreaturekepthimcompany；someinsectneverseenbeforewasoftenhisgreatestpleasure；suchasthepine-chafer，whichheencounteredthenforthefirsttime；thatsuperbbeetle，whoseblackorchestnutcoatissprinkledwithspecksofwhitevelvet；whichsqueakswhencaptured，emittingaslightcomplainingsound，likethevibrationofapaneofglassrubbedwiththetipofamoistenedfinger。(1/8。)

Alreadythisyoungmind，romanticandclassicatonce，fulloftheideal，andsopositivethatitseemedtoseeksupportinanintensegraspofthingsandbeings——twogiftswell-nighincompatible，andoftenmutuallydestructive——alreadyitknew，notonlytheloveofstudyandapassionforthetruth，butthesovereigndelightoffeelingeverythingandunderstandingeverything。

Itwasundertheseconditions——thatis，amidtherudestprivations——thatheventuredtoenteracompetitiveexaminationforabursaryattheécoleNormalePrimaireofAvignon；andhiswill-powerrealizedthisfirstmiracleofhiscareer——hestraightwayobtainedthehighestplace。

Inthosedays，wheneducationhadbarelyreachedthelowerclasses，theinstructiongivenintheprimarynormalschoolwasstillofthemostsummary。Spelling，arithmetic，andgeometrypracticallyexhausteditsresources。Asfornaturalhistory，apoordespisedscience，almostunknown，noonedreamedofit，andnoonelearnedortaughtit；thesyllabusignoredit，becauseitledtonothing。ForFabreonly，notwithstanding，itwashisfixedidea，hisconstantpreoccupation，and“whilethedictationclasswasbusyaroundhim，hewouldexamine，inthesecrecyofhisdesk，thestingofawasporthefruitoftheoleander。”andintoxicatehimselfwithpoetry。

(1/9。)Hispedagogicstudiessufferedthereby，andthefirstpartofhisstayatthenormalschoolwasbynomeansextremelybrilliant。Inthemiddleofhissecondyearhewasdeclaredidle，andevenmarkedasaninsufficientpupilandofmediocreintelligence。Stungtothequick，hebeggedasafavourthatheshouldbegiventheopportunityoffollowingthethirdyear’scourseinthesixmonthsthatremained，andhemadesuchaneffortthatattheendoftheyearhevictoriouslywonhissuperiorcertificate。(1/10。)

Ayearinadvanceoftheregulationstudies，hiscuriositymightnowexerciseitselffreelyineverydirection，andlittlebylittleitbecameuniversal。Achancechemistrylessonfinallyawakenedinhimtheappetiteforknowledge，thepassionforallthesciences，ofwhichhethirstedtoknowatleasttheelements。BetweenwhileshereturnedtohisLatin，translatingHoraceandre-readingVirgil。Onedayhisdirectorputan“Imitation“intohishands，withdoublecolumnsinGreekandLatin。Thelatter，whichheknewfairlywell，assistedhimtodeciphertheGreek。Hehastenedtocommittomemorythevocables，andidiomsandphrasesofallkinds(1/11。)，andinthiscuriousfashionhelearnedthelanguage。Thiswashisonlymethodoflearninglanguages。Itistheprocesswhichherecommendedtohisbrother，whowascommencingLatin：

“TakeVirgil，adictionary，andagrammar，andtranslatefromLatinintoFrenchforeverandforever；tomakeagoodversionyouneedonlycommonsenseandverylittlegrammaticalknowledgeorotherpedanticaccessories。

“Imagineanoldinscriptionhalf-effaced：correctnessofjudgmentpartlysuppliesthemissingwords，andthesenseappearsasifthewholewerelegible。Latin，foryou，istheoldinscription；therootofthewordaloneislegible：theveilofanunknownlanguagehidesthevalueofthetermination：youhaveonlythehalfofthewords；butyouhavecommonsensetoo，andyouwillmakeuseofit。”(1/12。)

CHAPTER2。THEPRIMARYTEACHER。

Furnishedwithhissuperiordiploma，heleftthenormalschoolattheageofnineteen，andcommencedasaprimaryteacherintheCollegeofCarpentras。

Thesalaryoftheschoolteacher，intheyear1842，didnotexceed28

poundssterlingayear，andthisungratefulcallingbarelyfedhim，saveon“chickpeasandalittlewine。”Butwemustbewarelest，inviewoftheincreasingandexcessivedearnessoflivinginFrance，thebeggarlysalariesofthepoorschoolmastersofaformerday，solittleworthyoftheirlaboursandtheirsocialutility，appearevenmoredisproportionatelysmallthantheyactuallywere。Whatismoretothepoint，theteachershadnopensiontohopefor。Theycouldonlycountonaperpetuityoflabour，andwhensicknessorinfirmityarrived，whenoldagesurprisedthem，afterfiftyorsixtyyearsofanarrowandprecariousexistence，itwasnotmerelypovertythatawaitedthem；formanytherewasnothingbuttheblackestdestitution。Alittlelater，whentheybegantoentertainavaguehopeofdeliverance，theretiringpensionwhichwashelduptotheirgaze，inthedistantfuture，wasatfirstnomorethanfortyfrancs，andtheyhadtoawaittheadventofDuruy，thegreatministerandliberator，beforeprimaryinstructionwasinsomedegreeraisedfromthisignominiouslevelofabasement。

Itwasamelancholyplace，thiscollege，“wherelifehadsomethingcloistralaboutit：eachmasteroccupiedtwocells，for，inconsiderationofamodestpayment，themajoritywerelodgedintheestablishment，andateincommonattheprincipal’stable。”

Itwasalaboriouslife，fullofdistastefulandrepugnantduties。Wecanreadilyimagine，withtheaidofthestrikingpicturewhichFabrehasdrawnforus，whatlifewasinthesesurroundings，andwhattheteachingwas：

“BetweenfourhighwallsIseethecourt，asortofbear-pitwherethescholarsquarrelledforthespacebeneaththeboughsofaplane-tree；allaroundopenedtheclass-rooms，oozingwithdampandmelancholy，likesomanywildbeasts’cages，deficientinlightandair……forseats，aplankfixedtothewall……inthemiddleachair，therushesoftheseatdeparted，ablackboard，andastickofchalk。”(2/1。)

Lettheteachersofourspaciousandwell-lightedschoolsofto-dayponderonthesenotsodistantyears，andmeasuretheprogressaccomplished。

EvokingthememoryoftheirhumblecolleagueofCarpentras，maytheyfeelthetruegreatnessofhisexample：anobleandagloriousexample，ofwhichtheymaywellbeproud。

Andwhatpupils！“Dirty，unmannerly：fiftyyoungscoundrels，childrenorbiglads，withwhom。”nodoubt，“heusedtosquabble。”butwhom，afterall，hecontrivedtomanage，andbywhomhewaslistenedtoandrespected：forheknewpreciselywhattosaytothem，andhow，whiletalkinglightly，toteachthemthemostseriousthings。Forthejoyofteaching，andofcontinuallylearningbyteachingothers，madeeverythingendurable。Notonlydidheteachthemtoread，write，andcipher，whichthenincludedalmosttheentireprogrammeofprimaryeducation；heendeavouredalsotoplacehisownknowledgeattheirservice，ashehimselfacquiredit。

Itwasnotonlyhisloveoftheworkthatsustainedhim；itwasthedesiretoescapefromtherut，toaccomplishyetanotherstage；toemerge，inshort，fromsounsatisfactoryaposition。Nownothingbutphysicalandmathematicalsciencewouldallowhimtoentertainthehopeof“makinganopening“intheworldofsecondaryschoolmasters。Heaccordinglybegantostudyphysics，quitealone，“withanimpossiblelaboratory，experimentingafterhisownfashion“；anditwasbyteachingthemtohispupilsthathelearnedfirstofallchemistry，inexpensivelyperforminglittleelementaryexperimentsbeforethem，“withpipe-bowlsforcruciblesandaniseedflasksforretorts。”andfinallyalgebra，ofwhichheknewnotawordbeforehegavehisfirstlesson。(2/2。)

Howhestudied，whatwasthesecretofhismethod，hetoldhisbrotherafewyearslater，whenthelatter，markingtimebehindhim，waspursuingthesamecareer。Averydisappointingcareer，nodoubt，andfarfromlucrative，but“oneofthenoblest；oneofthosebestfittedforanoblespirit，andaloverofthegood。”(2/3。)

Listentothelessonwhichhegiveshisbrother：

“To-dayisThursday；nothingcallsyououtofdoors；youchooseathoroughlyquietretreat，wherethelightisnottoostrong。Thereyouare，elbowsontable，yourthumbstoyourears，andabookinfrontofyou。Theintelligenceawakes；thewillholdsthereinsofit；theouterworlddisappears，theearnolongerhears，theeyenolongersees，thebodynolongerexists；themindschoolsitself，recollectsitself；itisfindingknowledge，anditsinsightincreases。Thenthehourspassquickly，quickly；

timehasnomeasure。Nowitisevening。Whataday，greatGod！Buthostsoftruthsaregroupedinthememory；thedifficultieswhichcheckedyouyesterdayhavefusedinthefireofreflection；volumeshavebeendevoured，andyouarecontentwithyourday……

“Whensomethingembarrassesyoudonotabusethehelpofyourcolleagues；

withassistancethedifficultyisonlyevaded；withpatienceandreflectionITISOVERTHROWN。Moreover，oneknowsthoroughlyonlywhatonelearnsoneself；andIadviseyouearnestly，asfaraspossible，tohaverecoursetonoaidotherthanreflection，aboveallforthesciences。Abookofscienceisanenigmatobedeciphered；ifsomeonegivesyouthekeyoftheenigmanothingappearsmoresimpleandmorenaturalthantheexplanation，butifasecondenigmapresentsitselfyouwillbeasunskilfulasyouwerewiththefirst……

“Itisprobablethatyouwillgetthechanceofafewlessons；donotbypreferenceaccepttheeasierandmorelucrative，butratherthemoredifficult，evenwhenthesubjectisoneofwhichasyetyouknownothing。

Theself-esteemwhichwillnotallowone’struecharactertobeseenisapowerfulaidtothewill。DonotforgetthemethodofJulesJanin，runningfromhousetohouseinParisforafewwretchedlessonsinLatin：’Unabletogetanythingoutofmystupidpupils，withthebesottedsonofthemarquisIwassimultaneouslypupilandprofessor：Iexplainedtheancientauthorstomyself，andso，inafewmonths，Iwentthroughanexcellentcourseofrhetoric……’

“Aboveallyoumustnotbediscouraged；timeisnothingprovidedthewillisalwaysalert，alwaysactive，andneverdistracted；’strengthwillcomeasyoutravel。’

“Tryonlyforafewdaysthismethodofworking，inwhichthewholeenergy，concentratedononepoint，explodeslikeamineandshattersobstacles；tryforafewdaystheforceofpatience，strength，andperseverance；andyouwillseethatnothingisimpossible！“(2/4。)

Theseseriousreflectionsshowveryclearlythathismindwasalreadyasmature，asearnest，andasconcentratedasitwasevertobe。

Notonlydidhejoinexampletoprecept；helookedabouthimandbegantoobservenatureinherownhouse。ThedoingsoftheMason-bee，whichheencounteredforthefirsttime，arousedhisinteresttosuchapitchthat，beingnolongerabletoconstrainhiscuriosity，hebought——atthecostofwhatprivations！——Blanchard’s“NaturalHistoryoftheArticulata。”thenaclassicwork，whichhewastore-readahundredtimes，andwhichhestillretains，givingitthefirstplaceinhismodestlibrary，inmemoryofhisearlyjoysandemotions。

Therocksalsoarrestedandcaptivatedhisattention：andalreadythefirstvolumeswerecorpulentofwhatwaseventuallytobecomehisgiganticherbiary。Hisbrother，abouttoleaveforVezinsonvacation，wastoldofthespecimenswhichhewantedtocompletehiscollection；foralthoughhehadneversetfoottheresincehisfirstdeparture，herecalled，withremarkableprecision，alltheplantsthatgrewinhisnativecountryside；

theirhaunts，theirsingularities，andthecharacteristicsbywhichonecouldnotfailtorecognizethem：aswellasalltheplaceswhichtheychosebypreference，whereheusedtowanderasanurchin；theParnassiapalustris，“whichspringsupinthedampmeadows，belowthebeech-woodtothewestofthevillage；whichbearsasuperbwhitefloweratthetopofaslightlytwistedstem，havinganovalleafaboutitsmiddle“；thepurpledigitalis，“whoselongspindlesofgreatredflowers，speckledwithwhiteinside，andshapedlikethefingersofaglove。”borderacertainroad；allthefernsthatgrowonthewastes，“amidwhichitisoftennoeasytasktorecollectone’swhereabouts。”andonthearidhillsalltheheathers，pink，white，andbluish，withdifferentfoliage，“ofwhichtheinnumerablespeciesdonot，however，verygreatlydiffer。”Nothingistobeneglected；

“everyplant，whateveritmaybe，greatorlittle，rareorcommon，wereitonlyafrondofmoss，mayhaveitsinterest。”(2/5。)

Neverwearyofwork，heaccumulatedallthesetreasuresinhislittlemuseum，inordertostudythemthebetter；hecollectedallthecoinsexhumedfromthisancientsoil，formerlyRoman，“recordsofhumanitymoreeloquentthanbooks。”andwhichrevealedtohimtheonlymethodoflearningandactuallyre-livinghistory：forhesawinknowledgenotmerelyameansofgaininghisbread，but“somethingnobler；themeansofraisingthespiritinthecontemplationofthetruth，ofisolatingitatwillfromthemiseriesofreality，sotofind，intheseintellectualregions，theonlyhoursofhappinessthatwemaybepermittedtotaste。”(2/6。)

Fabrewassosteepedinthispassionforknowledgethathewishedtoevokeitinhisbrother，nowteacheratLapalud，ontheRh？ne，notfarfromOrange。Itseemedtohimthathewoulddelightinhiswealthstillbettercouldheshareitwithanother。(2/7。)Hestimulatedhim，prickedhimon，andsoughttoencouragetheremarkableaptitudeformathematicswithwhichhebelievedhimendowed。Heemployedhiswholestrengthinbreathingintotheother’smind“thattasteforthetrueandthebeautiful“whichpossessedhisownnature；hewishedtosharewithhimthosestoresoflearning“whichhehadforsomeyearssopainfullyamassed“；hewouldprofitbythevacationtoplacethemathisdisposal；theywouldworktogether“andthelightwouldcome。”Aboveallhisbrothermustnotallowhisintelligencetoslumber，mustbewareof“extinguishingthatdivinelightwithoutwhichonecan，itistrue，attendtoone’sbusiness，butwhichalonecanmakeamanhonourableandrespected。”

Lethim，onthecontrary，cultivatehismindincessantly，“theonlypatrimonyonwhicheitherofuscancount“；therewardwouldbehismoralwell-being，and，hehoped，hisphysicalwelfarealso。

Oncemorehereinforcedhisadvicebythatexcellentcounselwhichwasalwayshisownlodestar：

“Science，Frédéric，knowledgeiseverything……Youaretoogoodathinkernottosaywithmethatnoonecanbetteremployhistimethanbyacquiringfreshknowledge……Work，then，whenyouhavetheopportunity……anopportunitythatveryfewmaypossess，andforwhichyououghttobeonlytoothankful。ButIwillstop，forIfeelmyenthusiasmisgoingtomyhead，andmyreasonsaresogoodalreadythatIhavenoneedofstillmoretriumphantreasonstoconvinceyou。”(2/8。)

Hehadonlyonepassion：shooting；moreespeciallytheshootingoflarks。

Thissportdelightedhim，“withthemirrordartingitsintermittentbeamsundertheraysofthemorningsunamidthegeneralscintillationofthedewdropsandcrystalsofhoarfrosthangingoneverybladeofgrass。”(2/9。)

Hissightwasadmirablysure，andherarelymissedhisaim。Hispassionforshootingwasalwayssustainedbythesamemotive：thedesiretoacquirefreshknowledge；toexamineunknowncreaturescloseathand；todiscoverwhattheyateandhowtheylived。

Later，whenheagaintookuphisgun，itwasstillbecauseofhisloveoflife：itwastoenablehimtoenumerate，inventory，andinterrogatehisnewcompatriots，hisfeatheredfellow-citizensofSérignan；toinformhimselfoftheirdiet，torevealthecontentsoftheircropsandgizzards。

Atonetimehesuddenlyceasedtoemploythisdistraction；heseemstohavesacrificediteasily，underthestressofpresentnecessitiesandcruelanxietiesastohisuncertainfuture。“Whenwedonotknowwhereweshallbetomorrownothingcandistractus。”(2/10。)

Hisresponsibilitieswereincreasing。Hehadlatelymarried。Onthe30thOctober，1844，hewasweddedtoayounggirlofCarpentras，MarieVillard，andalreadyachildwasborn。Hisparents，alwaysunlucky，metnowherewithanysuccess。BydintofmanywanderingstheyhadfinallybecomestrandedatPierrelatte，thechieftownofthecantonofLaDr？me，shelteredbythegreatrockwhichhasgiventheplaceitsname；andthereagain，ofcourse，theykeptacafé，situatedonthePlaced’Armes。

Thewholefamilywasnowassembledinthesamedistrict，afewmilesonlyonefromanother：butHenriwasreallyitshead。Havingheardthataquarrelhadarisenbetweenhisbrotherandhismother，hewrotetoFrédéricinreprimand；gentlyscoldinghimandbegginghimtosetmattersright，“evenifallthewrongswerenotonhisside。”

“Myfather，inoneofhisletters，complainsthatinspiteofyournearnessyouhavenotyetbeentoseethem。Iknowverywellthereissomereasonforsulking；butwhatmatter？Giveitup：forgeteverything；doyourbesttoputanendtoallthesepettyanduglyestrangements。Youwilldoso，won’tyou？Icountonit，forthehappinessofall。”(2/11。)

Hewastheirarbitrator，theiradviser，theiroracle，theirbondofunion。

Withallthis，hewasreadytoattemptthetwoexaminationswhichweretodecidehisfuture。Veryshortly，atMontpellier，hepassedalmostsuccessively，atanintervalofonlyafewmonthstheexaminationsforbothhisbaccalauréats；andthenthetwolicentiateexaminationsinmathematicsandphysicalscience。

Whilehewasardentlystudyingfortheseexaminations，sorrowforthefirsttimeknockedathisdoor。Hisfirst-bornfellsuddenlyill，andinafewdaysdied。Onthisoccasionallhisardentspiritualityasserteditself，thoughinstrickenaccents，intheletterwhichhewrotetohisbrothertoannouncehisloss：

“Afterafewdaysofamarkedimprovement，whichmademethinkhewassaved，twolargeteethwerecut……andinthreedaysadreadfulfevertookhim，notfromus，whowillfollowhim，butfromthismiserableworld。Ah，poorchild，Ishallalwaysseeyouasyouwereduringthoselastmoments，turningthosewide，wanderingeyestowardheaven，seekingthewaytoyournewcountry。Withaheartfulloftears，Ishalloftenletmythoughtsgostrayingafteryou；butalas！withtheeyesofthebodyIshallneverseeyouagain。Ishallseeyounomore：yetonlyafewdaysagoIwasmakingthefinestplansforyou。Iusedtoworkforyouonly；inmystudiesI

thoughtonlyofyou。Growup，Iusedtosay，andIwillpourintoyourmindalltheknowledgewhichhascostmesodear，whichIamhoardinglittlebylittle……Butreflectionleadsmetohigherthoughts。Ichokebackthetearsinmyheart，andIcongratulatehimthatHeavenhasmercifullysparedhimthislifeoftrials……Mypoorchild……youwillnever，likeyourfather，havetostruggleagainstpovertyandmisfortune；youwillneverknowthebitternessoflife，andthedifficultiesofcreatingapositionatatimewhentherearesomanypathsthatleadtofailure……Iweepforyoubecausewehavelostyou，butIrejoicebecauseyouarehappy……Youarehappy，andthisisnotthemadhopeofafatherbrokenbysorrow；no，yourlastglancetoldmeso，tooeloquentlyformetodoubtit。Oh，howbeautifulyouwereinyourmortalpallor；thelastsighonyourlips，yourgazeuponheaven，andyoursoulreadytoflyintothebosomofGod！Yourlastdaywasthemostbeautiful！“(2/12。)

Althoughstudywashisrefuge，althoughhewastherebyabletolivethroughtheseevildayswithouttoogreatlyfeelingtheirweight，hispositionwashateful，andhelivedawretchedlife“fromonedaytoanother，likeabeggar。”

Inthosetroubloustimes，wheneducationwasofnoaccount，itoftenhappenedthathisteacher’ssalarywasseveralmonthsinarrears，andthecityofCarpentras，“notbeinginfunds。”paiditonlybyinstalments，andevensokepthimalongtimewaiting。“Onehastobesiegethepaymaster’sdoormerelytoobtainatrifleonaccount。Iamashamedofthewholebusiness，andIwouldgladlyabandonmyclaimifIknewwheretoraiseanymoney。”(2/13。)

ThegeniusofBalzachasrecordedsomeunforgettabletypesofthosepoorandnotablelives，atoncesohumbleandsolofty。Hehasdescribedthevillagecuréandthecountrydoctor。Buthowweshouldhavelovedtoencounterinhisgallery，amongsomanylivingportraits，apictureoftheuniversitylifeoffiftyyearsago；andaboveallapictureofthesmallschoolmasterofotherdays，livingalifesonarrow，soslavish，sopainful，andyetsofullofworth，soimbuedwiththesenseofduty，andwithalsoresigned；aportraitforwhichFabremighthaveservedasmodelandprototype，andforwhichhehimselfhasdrawnanunforgettablesketch。

Heawaitedimpatientlythenewsofhisremoval，verymodestlylimitinghisambitionstothehopeofenteringsomelycéeasprofessorofthesciences。

Hisrectorwasnotunnaturallyastonishedthatayoungmanofsuchunusualworth，alreadytwicealicentiate，shouldbesolittleappreciatedbythoseinhighplacesandallowedtostagnatesolonginaninferiorpost，andoneunworthyofhim。

Intheend，however，aftermuchpatientwaiting，hebecameindignant；asalways，hecouldseenothingahead。ThechairofmathematicsatTournonescapedhim。Anotherposition，atAvignon，also“slippedthroughhisfingers“；whyorhowheneverknew。He“begantoseeclearlywhatlifeis，andhowdifficultitistomakeone’smarkamidallthisarmyofschemers，beggarsandimbecileswhobesiegeeveryvacantpost。”

Buthisheartwas“nonethelesshotwithindignation“；hehadhadenoughof“Carpentras，thataccursedlittlehole“；andwhenthevacationscameroundoncemorehe“plainlyconsideredthequestion“anddeclared“thathewouldneveragainsetfootinsideacommunalschool。”(2/14。)

Hewrotetotherector：“Ifinsteadofcrushingmeintothenarrowroundofaprimaryschooltheywouldgivemesomeemploymentofthekindforwhichmystudiesandideasfitme，theywouldknowthenwhatishatchinginmyheadandwhatuntirableactivitythereisinme。”(2/15。)

Heresignedhimselfnevertheless；hecursedandsworeandstormedathisfate；buthehadoncemoretoputupwithit“forwantofabetter。”Allthesame“theinjusticewastoounheard-of，andnoonehadeverseenorwouldeverseethelike：togivehimtwolicentiate’sdiplomas，andtomakehimconjugateverbsforapackofbrats！Itwastoomuch！“(2/16。)

CHAPTER3。CORSICA。

AtlastthechairofphysicsfellvacantatthecollegeofAjaccio，thesalarybeing72poundssterling，andheleftforCorsica。Hisstaytherewaswellcalculatedtoimpresshim。TheretheintenseimpressionabilitywhichthelittlepeasantofAveyronreceivedatbirthcouldonlybeconfirmedandincreased。Hefeltthatthissuperbandluxuriantnaturewasmadeforhim，andthathewasbornforit；tounderstandandinterpretit。

Hewouldlosehimselfinadeliciousintoxication，amidthedeepwoodlands，themountainsrichwithscentedflowers，wanderingthroughthemaquis，themyrtlescrub，throughjunglesoflentiskandarbutus；barelycontaininghisemotionwhenhepassedbeneaththegreatsecularchestnut-treesofBastelica，withtheirenormoustrunksandleafyboughs，whosesombremajestyinspiredinhimasortofmelancholyatoncepoeticandreligious。

Beforethesea，withitsinfinitedistances，helingeredinecstasy，listeningtothesongofthewaves，andgatheringthemarvellousshellswhichthesnow-whitebreakersleftuponthebeach，andwhoseunfamiliarformsfilledhimwithdelight。

HewassoonsoaccustomedtohisnewlifeinpeacefulAjaccio，whosesurroundings，deckedineternalverdure，aresocaptivatingandsobeautiful，thatinspiteofavaguedesireforchangehenowdreadedtoleaveit。Heneverweariedofadmiringandexaltingthebeautifulandmajesticaspectsofhisnewhome。Howhelongedtosharehisenthusiasmwithhisfatherorhisbrother，asherambledthroughtheneighbouringmaquis！

“Theinfinite，glitteringseaatmyfeet，thedreadfulmassesofgraniteoverhead，thewhite，daintytownseatedbesidethewater，theendlessjunglesofmyrtle，whichyieldintoxicatingperfumes，thewastesofbrushwoodwhichtheploughsharehasneverturned，whichcoverthemountainsfrombasetosummit；thefishing-boatsthatploughthegulf：allthisformsaprospectsomagnificent，sostriking，thatwhosoeverhasbehelditmustalwayslongtoseeitagain。”(3/1。)

“WhatistheirrockofPierrelatte，thatenormousblockofstonewhichoverhangstheplacewheretheydwell，areefwhichrisesfromthesurfaceoftheancientseaofalluvium，comparedwiththeseblocksofuprootedgranitewhichlieuponthehillsideshere？“

AndwhatweretheAubrachillswhichtraversedhisnativecountry；whatwastheVentouxeven，thatfamousAlp，“besidethepeakswhichriseaboutthegulfofAjaccio，alwayscrownedwithcloudsandwhitenedwithsnow，evenwhenthesoiloftheplainsisscorchingandringslikeafiredbrick？“

Timedidnothingtoabatethesefirstimpressions，andaftermorethanayearontheislandhewasstillfullofwonder“atthesightofthesegranitecrests，corrodedbytheseveritiesoftheclimate，jagged，overthrownbythelightning，shatteredbytheslowbutsureactionofthesnows，andthesevertiginousgulfsthroughwhichthefourwindsofheavengoroaring；thesevastinclinedplanesonwhichsnow-driftsformthirty，sixty，andninetyfeetindepth，andacrosswhichflowwindingwatercourseswhichgotofill，dropbydrop，theyawningcraters，theretoformlakes，blackasinkwhenseenintheshadow，butblueasheaveninthelight……

“Butitwouldbeimpossibleformetogiveyoutheleastideaofthisdizzyspectacle，thischaosofrocks，heapedinfrightfuldisorder。When，closingmyeyes，Icontemplatetheseresultsoftheconvulsionofthesoilinmymind’seye，whenIhearthescreamingoftheeagles，whichgowheelingthroughthebottomlessabysses，whoseinkyshadowstheeyedareshardlyplumb，vertigoseizesme，andIopenmyeyestoreassuremyselfbythereality。”

Andhesendswithhisletterafewleavesofthesnowimmortelle——theedelweiss——pluckedonthehighestsummits，amidtheeternalsnows；“youwillputthisinsomebook，andwhen，asyouturntheleaves，theimmortellemeetsyoureyes，itwillgiveyouanexcusefordreamingofthebeautifulhorrorsofitsnativeplace。”(3/2。)

Whatamisfortuneforhim，whatregrethewouldfeel，“ifhehadnowtogotosometrivialcountryofplains，wherehewoulddieofboredom！“

Forhimeverythingwasunfamiliar：notonlytheflora，butthemaritimewealthofthissingularcountry。Hewouldsetoutofamorning，visitingthecovesandcreeks，rovingalongthebeachesofthismagnificentgulf，alumpofbreadinhispocket，quenchinghisthirstwithsea-waterindefaultoffresh！

Theyweremorningsfullofrosyillusions，whosesmilinghopeswererevealedinhisadmirableletterstohisbrother。AlreadyhemeditatedaconchologyofCorsica，acolossalhistoryofallthemolluscswhichliveuponitssoilorinitswaters。(3/3。)Hecollectedalltheshellshecouldprocure。Heanalysed，described，classed，andco-ordinatednotonlythemarinespecies，buttheterrestrialandfreshwatershellsalso，extantorfossil。HeaskedhisbrothertocollectforhimalltheshellshecouldfindinthemarshesofLapalud，inthebrooksandditchesoftheneighbourhoodofOrange。Inhisenthusiasmhetriedtoconvincehimoftheimmenseinterestoftheseresearches，whichmightperhapsseemridiculousorfutiletohim；butlethimonlythinkofgeology；thehumblestshellpickedupmightthrowasuddenlightupontheformationofthisorthatstratum。Nonearetobedisdained：formenhaveconsidered，withreason，thattheywerehonouringthememoryoftheireminentfellowsbygivingtheirnamestotherarestandmostbeautiful。WitnessthemagnificentHelixdedicatedtoRaspail，whichisfoundonlyinthecavernswherethestrawberry-treegrowsamidthehighmountainsofCorsica。(3/4。)

Moreover，hesaid，“theinfinitesimalcalculusofLeibnitzwillshowyouthatthearchitectureoftheLouvreislesslearnedthanthatofasnail：

theeternalgeometerhasunrolledhistranscendentspiralsontheshellofthemolluscthatyou，likethevulgarprofane，knowonlyseasonedwithspinachandDutchcheese。”(3/5。)

Forallthat，hedidnotneglecthismathematics，inwhich，onthecontrary，hefoundabundantandsuggestiverecreation。Thepropertiesofafigureoracurvewhichhehadnewlydiscoveredpreventedhissleepforseveralnights。

“AllthismorningIhavebeenbusywithstar-shapedpolygons，andhaveproceededfromsurprisetosurprise……perceivinginthedistance，asI

advanced，unforeseenandmarvellousconsequences。”

Here，amongothers，isonequestionwhichsuddenlypresenteditselftohismind“inthemidstofthespikes“ofhispolygons：whatwouldbetheperiodoftherotationofthesunonitsowncentreifitsatmospherereachedasfarastheearth？Andthisquestiongaverisetoanother，“withoutwhichthesequencestopsthenandthere；number，space，movement，andorderformasinglechain，thefirstlinkofwhichsetsalltherestinmotion。”

(3/6。)Andthehourswentbyquickly，soquicklywith“x。”theplantsandtheshells，that“literallytherewasnotimetoeat。”

ForFabrewasbornapoet，andmathematicsbordersuponpoetry；hesawinalgebra“themostmagnificentflights。”andthefiguresofanalyticalgeometryunrolledthemselvesinhisimagination“insuperbstrophes“；theEllipse，“thetrajectoryoftheplanets，withitstworelatedfoci，sendingfromonetotheotheraconstantsumofvectorradii“；theHyperbole，“withrepulsivefoci，thedesperatecurvewhichplungesintospaceininfinitetentacles，approachingcloserandclosertoastraightline，theasymptote，withouteverfinallyattainingit“；theParabola，“whichseeksfruitlesslyintheinfiniteforitssecond，lostcentre：itisthetrajectoryofthebomb：itisthepathofcertaincometswhichcomeonedaytovisitoursun，thenfleeintothedepthswhencetheyneverreturn。”(3/7。)

Andonefinemorningwebeholdhimmounting，thrilledbyalyricpassion，totheloftyregionsinwhichNumber，“irresistible，omnipotent，keystoneofthevaultoftheuniverse，rulesatonceTimeandSpace。”Heascends，herushesforward，fartherthanthechariot——

“BeyondtheHusbandmanwhoploughsinspaceAndsowsthesunsinfurrowsoftheskies。”

Heascendsthosetracksofflame，whereonhigh“inthoselistsinaneWiseregulator，NumberholdsthereinsOfthoseindomitablesteeds；

Numberhassetabiti’thefoamingmouthsOftheseLeviathans，andwithnervoushandControlsthemintheirtracks；

TheirsmokingflanksbeneaththeyokeinvainQuiver；theirnostrilsvainlyvoidasfoamDensetidesoflava；andinvaintheyrear；

ForNumberontheirmettledhaunchespoisedHoldsthem，ordulywiththereincontrols，Orintheirflanksburieshisspurdivine。”(3/8。)

Laterheconfessedallthatheowed，asawriter，togeometry，whoseseveredisciplineformsandexercisesthemind，givesitthesalutaryhabitofprecisionandlucidity，andputsitonitsguardagainsttermswhichareincorrectorundulyvague，givingitqualitiesfarsuperiortoallthe“tropesofrhetoric。”

ItwasthenthathebecamethepupilofRequienofAvignon，theretiredbotanist，aloftybutsomewhatlimitedmind，whowashardlycapableofopeningupotherhorizonstohim。ButRequiendidatleastenrichhismemorybyaprodigiousquantityofnamesofplantswithwhichhehadnotbeenacquainted。HerevealedtohimtheimmensefloraofCorsica，whichhehimselfhadcometostudy，andforwhichFabrewastogathersuchavastamountofmaterial。

FabrefoundinRequienmoreespeciallyafriend“proofagainstanything“；

andwhenthelatterdiedalmostsuddenlyatBonifacio，Fabrewasoverwhelmedbythesadnews。Onthatverydayhehadonthetablebeforehimaparcelofplantsgatheredforthedeadbotanist。“Icannotletmyeyesrestuponit。”hewroteatthetime，“withoutfeelingmyheartwrungandmysightdimwithtears。”(3/9。)

Butthemostadmirablyfruitfulencounter，asitexercisedtheprofoundestinfluenceuponhisdestiny，washismeetingwithMoquin-Tandon，aToulouseprofessorwhofollowedRequientoCorsica，tocompletetheworkwhichthelatterhadleftunfinished：thecompleteinventoryoftheprodigiouswealthofvegetation，oftheinnumerablespeciesandvarietieswhichFabreandhecollectedtogether，ontheslopesandsummitsofMonteRenoso，oftenbotanizing“upintheclouds，mantleonbackandnumbwithcold。”(3/10。)

Moquin-Tandonwasnotmerelyaskilfulnaturalist；hewasoneofthemosteloquentandscholarlyscientistsofhistime。Fabreowedtohim，nothisgenius，tobesure，butthedefiniteindicationofthepathhewasfinallytotake，andfromwhichhewasneveragaintostray。

Moquin-Tandon，abrilliantwriterand“aningeniouspoetinhisMontpelleriandialect。”(3/11。)taughtFabrenevertoforgetthevalueofstyleandtheimportanceofform，evenintheexpositionofapurelydescriptivesciencesuchasbotany。Hedidevenmore，byonedaysuddenlyshowingFabre，betweenthefruitandthecheese，“inaplateofwater。”theanatomyofthesnail。ThiswashisfirstintroductiontohistruedestinybeforethefinalrevelationofwhichIshallpresentlyspeak。Fabreunderstoodthenandtherethathecoulddodecidedlybetterthantosticktomathematics，thoughhiswholecareerwouldfeeltheeffectsofthatstudy。

“Geometersaremade；naturalistsarebornready-made。”hewrotetohisbrother，stillexcitedbythisincident，“andyouknowbetterthananyonewhethernaturalhistoryisnotmyfavouritescience。”(3/12。)

>Fromthattimeforwardhebegantocollectnotonlydead，inert，ordessicatedforms，merematerialforstudy，withtheaimofsatisfyinghiscuriosity；hebegantodissectwithardour，athinghehadneverdonebefore。Hehousedhistinyguestsinhiscupboard；andoccupiedhimself，ashewasalwaystodointhefuture，withthesmallerlivingcreaturesonly。

“Iamdissectingtheinfinitelylittle；myscalpelsaretinydaggerswhichImakemyselfoutoffineneedles；mymarbleslabisthebottomofasaucer；myprisonersarelodgedbythedozeninoldmatch-boxes；maximemirandainminimis。”(3/13。)

Roamingatnightalongthemarshybeaches，hecontractedfever，andseveralterribleattacks，accompaniedbyalarmingtremors，lefthimsobloodlessandfeeblethat，muchagainsthiswill，hehadtobegforrelief，andeveninsistuponhispromptreturntothemainland。inthemeantimeheobtainedsick-leave，andreturnedtoProvenceafteraterriblecrossingwhichlastednolessthanthreedaysandtwonights，onaseasofuriousthathegavehimselfupforlost。(3/14。)

Slowlyherecoveredhishealth，andafterasecondbutbriefstayatAjacciohereceivedthenewsofhisappointmenttothelycéeofAvignon。

(3/15。)

Hereturnedwithhisimaginationenrichedandhismindexpanded，withsettledideas，andthoroughlyripeforhistask。

CHAPTER4。ATAVIGNON。

Theresoluteworkerresumedhisindefatigablelabourswithanardourgreaterthanever，fornowhewashauntedbyanobleambition，thatofbecomingateacherofthesuperiorgrade，andof“talkingplantsandanimals“inachairofthefaculty。Withthisendinviewheaddedtohistwodiplomas——thoseofmathematicsandphysics——athirdcertificate，thatofnaturalsciences。Hissuccesswastriumphant。

Alreadytenaciousandfearlessinaffirmingwhathebelievedtobethetruth，heastonishedandbewilderedtheprofessorsofToulouse。Amongthesubjectstoucheduponbytheexaminerswasthefamousquestionofspontaneousgeneration，whichwasthensovital，andwhichgaverisetosomanyimpassioneddiscussions。Theexaminer，asitchanced，wasoneoftheleadingapostlesofthisdoctrine。ThefutureadversaryofDarwin，attheriskoffailure，didnotscrupletoarguewithhim，andtoputforwardhispersonalconvictionsandhisownarguments。Hedecidedthevexedquestioninhisownway，onhisownresponsibility。Apersonalityalreadysostrikingwasregardedwithadmiration；acandidatesofaroutoftheordinarywaswelcomedwithenthusiasm，andbutfortheinsufficiencyofthebudgetwhichsoscantilymettheneedsofpublicinstructionhisexaminationfeeswouldhavebeenreturned。(4/1。)

Why，afterthisbrilliantsuccess，wasFabrenottemptedtoenterhimselfforafellowship，whichwouldlaterinhiscareerhaveavertedsomanydisappointments？Itwasdoubtlessbecausehefelt，obscurely，thathisidealfuturelayalongotherlines，andthathewouldhavebeentakingawrongturning。Despiteallthesolicitationswhichwereaddressedtohimhewouldthinkofnothingbut“hisbelovedstudiesinnaturalhistory“(4/2。)；

hefearedtoloseprecioustimeinpreparinghimselfforacompetitiveexamination；“tocompromisebysuchlabour，whichhefeltwouldbefruitless“(4/3。)，thestudieswhichhehadalreadycommenced，andtheinquiriesalreadycarriedoutinCorsica。Hewasbusywithhisfirstoriginallabours，thetheseswhichhewaspreparingwithaviewtohisdoctorateinnaturalscience，“whichmightonedayopenthedoorsofafacultyforhim，farmoreeasilythanwouldafellowshipanditsmathematics。”(4/4。)

Athearthewasutterlycarelessofdignitiesanddegrees。Heworkedonlytolearn，nottoattainandfollowupasettledcalling。Whathehopedaboveallwastosucceedindevotingallhisleisuretothosemarvellousnaturalsciencesinwhichhecouldvaguelyforeseestudiesfullofinterest；somethinganimatedandvital；athousandfascinatingthemes，andanatmosphereofpoetry。

Hisgenius，asyetinvisible，wasripeninginobscurity，butwasreadytocomeforth；helackedonlythepropitiouscircumstancewhichwouldallowhimtounfoldhiswings。

HewasseekingtheminvainwhenavolumebyLéonDufour，thefamousentomologist，whothenlivedinthedepthsoftheLandes，fellbychanceintohishands，andlitthefirstsparkofthatbeaconwhichwaspresentlytodecidethedefinitetrendofhisideas。

Itwasthisincidentwhichthenandtheredevelopedthegermsalreadylatentwithinhim。Thesehadonlyawaitedsuchanoccasionasthatwhichsofortunatelycametopassoneeveningofthewinterof1854。

Fabreoffersyetanotherexampleofthepartsooftenplayedbychanceinthemanifestationsoftalent。Howmanyhavesuddenlyfelttheunexpectedawakeningofgiftswhichtheydidnotsuspect，asaresultofsomeunusualcircumstance！

WasitnotsimplyasaresultofhavingreadanotebytheRussianchemistMitscherlichonthecomparisonofthespecificcharacteristicsofcertaincrystalsthatPasteursoenthusiasticallytookuphisresearchesintomolecularasymmetrywhichwerethestarting-pointofsomanywonderfuldiscoveries？

Again，weneedonlyrecallthecaseofBrotherHuber，thecelebratedobserverofthebee，who，havingoutofsimplecuriosityundertakentoverifycertainexperimentsofRéaumur’s，wassocompletelyandimmediatelyfascinatedbythesubjectthatitbecametheobjectoftherestofhislife。

Again，wemayaskwhatClaudeBernardwouldhavebeenhadhenotmetMagendie？SimilarlyLéonDufour’slittleworkwastoFabretheroadtoDamascus，theelectricimpulsewhichdecidedhisvocation。

Itdealtwithaverysingularfactconcerningthemannersofoneofthehymenoptera，awasp，aCerceris，inwhosenestDufourhadfoundsmallcoleopteraofthegenusBuprestis，which，underalltheappearancesofdeath，retainedintactforanincredibletimetheirsumptuouscostume，gleamingwithgold，copper，andemerald，whilethetissuesremainedperfectlyfresh。Inaword，thevictimsofCerceris，farfrombeingdesiccatedorputrefied，werefoundinastateofintegritywhichwasaltogetherparadoxical。

DufourmerelybelievedthattheBuprestesweredead，andhegaveanattemptedexplanationofthephenomenon。

Fabre，hiscuriosityandinterestaroused，wishedtoobservethefactsforhimself；and，tohisgreatsurprise，hediscoveredhowincompleteandinsufficientlyverifiedweretheobservationsofthemanwhowasatthattimeknownas“thepatriarchofentomologists。”

>Fromthatmomenthesawhiswayahead；hesuspectedthattherewasstillmuchtodiscoverandmuchtoreviseinthisvastdepartmentofnature，andconceivedtheideaofresumingtheworksosplendidlyoutlinedbyRéaumurandthetwoHubers，butalmostcompletelyneglectedsincethedaysofthoseillustriousmasters。Hedivinedthatherewerefreshpastures，avastunexploredcountrytobeopenedup，anentireunimaginedsciencetobefounded，wonderfulsecretstobediscovered，magnificentproblemstobesolved，andhedreamedofconsecratinghimselfunreservedly，ofemployinghiswholelifeinthepursuitofthisobject；thatlonglifewhosefruitfulactivitywastoextendovernearlyninetyyears，andwhichwastobeso“representative“bythedignityoftheman，theprobityoftheexpert，thegeniusoftheobserver，andtheoriginalityofthewriter。

Theyear1855sawthefirstappearance，inthe“Annalesdessciencesnaturelles。”ofthefamousmemoirwhichmarkedthebeginningofhisfame：

thehistory，whichmightwellbecalledmarvellousandincredible，ofthegreatCerceris，agiantwaspand“thefinestoftheHymenopterawhichhuntforbootyatthefootofMontVentoux。”(4/5。)

Fabrewasnowthirty-twoyearsold，andhissituationasassistant-

professorofphysicswassomewhatprecarious。Fromthe72poundssterlingwhichhedrewatAjaccio，anoverseaspost，hissalarywasreduced，onhisreturntothemainland，to64poundssterling，andduringthewholeofhisstayatAvignonheobtainedneitherpromotionnorthesmallestincreaseofpay，exceptingafewadditionalprofitswhichwereunconnectedwithhishabitualduties。Whenhelefttheuniversityaftertwentywell-filledyears，heleftashehadentered，withthesametitle，rank，andsalaryofamereassistant-professor。

Yetallabouthim“everywhereandforeveryone，allwasblackindeed“：hisfamilyhadincreasedandtherewithhisexpenses；therewerenowsevenattableeveryday。Veryshortlyhismodestsalarywouldnolongersuffice；hewasobligedtosupplementitbyallsortsofhack-work——classes，“repetitions。”privatelessons；taskswhichrepelledhim，fortheyabsorbedallhisavailabletime；theypreventedhimfromgivinghimselfuptohisfavouritestudies，tohissilentandsolitaryobservations。Nevertheless，heacquittedhimselfofthesedutiespatientlyandconscientiously，forathearthelovedhisprofession，andwasratherafellow-disciplethanamastertohispupils。Forthisreasonallthoseabouthimworkedwithpraiseworthyassiduity；eventheworstelements，theblacksheep，the“badeggs“ofotherclasses，withhimweresuddenlytransformedandasattentiveastherest。Althoughheknewhowtokeeporder，howtomakehimselfrespected，andcouldonoccasiondealseverelyandspeaksternly，sothatveryfewdaredtoforgetthemselvesbeforehim，heknewalsohowtobemerrywithhispupils，chattingwiththemfamiliarly，puttinghimselfintheirplace，enteringintotheirideas，andmakinghimselftheirrival。Iflifewaslaboriousunderhisferula，itwasalsomerry。Thebestproofofthisisthefactthatofallhiscolleaguesatthelycéehewastheonlyonewhohadnonickname，ararityinscholasticannals。

Hedidnotthereforeobjecttotheselessons；butwhileatCarpentrashewasmademuchofandpraisedbytheprincipal，wasageneralfavourite，andhadperfectlibertytofollowhisinspirationduringhispartlygratuitousclasses，herethehoursandtheprogrammetiedhimdown，whichwaspreciselywhathefoundinsupportable。

Everythingmadethingsdifficultforhimhere：hisexternalself；hischaracter，eversolittleshyandunsocial；histemperament，whichwasmadeforsolitude。

Inthethickofthishierarchicalsocietyofuniversityprofessorsheremainedindependent；heknewnothingofwhatwassaidorwhatwashappeninginthecollege，andhiscolleagueswerealwaysbetterinformedthanhe。(4/6。)Ashewasnotafellow，hewasmadetofeelthefactandwastreatedasasubordinate；theothers，whopridedthemselvesonthetitle，andwhowereincapableofrecognizinghismerit，whichwasalittlebeyondthem，werejealousofhim，allthemoreinasmuchashisnamewasmomentarilynoisedabroad，andtheyrevengedthemselvesbycallinghim“thefly“amongthemselves，bywayofallusiontohisfavouritesubject。(4/7。)

Indifferenttodistinctions，aswellastothosewhoborethem，contemptuousofetiquette，andincapableofputtingconstraintuponhisnature，heremainedan“outsider。”andrefusedtocomplywithahostoffactitiousorworldlyobligationswhichheregardedasuselessordisgusting。ThusevenatAjacciohemanagedtoescapethecustomaryceremoniesofNewYear’sDay。

“GoodsocietyIavoidasmuchaspossible；Iprefermyowncompany。SoI

haveseennoone；Ididnotrespondtotheprincipal’sinvitationtomaketheofficialroundofvisits。”(4/8。)

Whenobligedtoacceptsomeinvitation，apartfromoccasionsoftoogreatsolemnity，whenhewasreallyconstrainedtodresshimselfinthecompleteliveryofcircumstanceandceremony，heremainedfaithfultohisblackfelthat，whichmadeablotamongallthecarefullypolished“toppers“ofhiscolleagues。Hewascalledtoorder；hewasreprimanded；heobeyedunwillingly，orworse，heresisted；herevolted，andthreatenedtosendinhisresignation。Topaycourttopeople，toendeavourtomakehimselfpleasant，togrovelbeforeasuperior，weretohimimpossibilities。Hecouldneithersolicit，norsailwiththewind，norforcehimselfonothers，norevenmakeuseofhisrelations。

However，whenhewenttoParistotakehisdoctor’sdegreeinnaturalsciences，hedidnotforgetMoquin-Tandon，whohadformerly，inCorsica，revealedtohimthenatureofbiology，andwhomhehimselfhadreceivedandentertainedinhishumblehome。

Theex-professorofToulouse，whowasnoweminentinhisspeciality，occupiedthechairofnaturalhistoryinthefacultyofmedicineinParis。

Whatbetteroccasioncouldhewishofintroducinghimselftoahighlyplacedofficial？Fabrehadformerlybeenhishost；hecouldrecallthehappyhourstheyhadspenttogether；hecouldexplainhisplans，andaskfortheprofessor’sassistance！Fatepointedtohimasaprotector。ButifFabrehadbeencapableofclimbingtheprofessor’sstairswithsomesuchambitiousdesires，hewouldquicklyhavebeendisabused。

The“dearmaster“hadlongagoforgottenthelittleprofessorofAjaccio，andhiswelcomewasbynomeanssuchasFabrehadtherighttoexpect。Farfrominsisting，hewasdisheartened，perhapsalittlehumiliated，andhastenedtotakehisleave。

ThetheseswhichFabrebroughtwithhim，andwhich，hehadthought，oughttoleadhimonedaytoauniversityprofessorship，didnot，asamatteroffact，containanythingveryessentiallyoriginal。

Hehadbeenattracted，indeedfascinated，byallthesingularitiespresentedbythestrangefamilyoftheorchids；theasymmetryoftheirblossoms，theunusualstructureoftheirpollen，andtheirinnumerableseeds；butasforthecuriousroundedandduplicatedtubercleswhichmanyofthemboreattheirbase，whatpreciselywerethey？Thegreatestbotanists——deCandolle，A。deJussieu——hadperceivedinthemnothingmorethanroots。Fabredemonstratedinhisthesisthatthesesingularorgansareinrealitymerelybuds，truebranchesorshoots，modifiedanddisguised，analogoustothemetamorphosedtubercleofthepotato。(4/9。)

Headdedalsoacuriousmemoironthephosphorescenceoftheagaricoftheolive-tree，aphenomenontowhichhewastoreturnatalaterdate。

InthefieldofzoologyhisscalpelrevealedthecomplicatedstructureofthereproductiveorgansoftheCentipedes(Millepedes)，hithertosoconfusedandmisunderstood；asalsocertainpeculiaritiesofthedevelopmentofthesecuriouscreatures，sointerestingfromthepointofviewofthezoologicalphilosopher(4/10。)，forhehadbecomeexpertinhandlingnotonlythemagnifyingglass，whichwasalwayswithhim，butalsothemicroscope，whichdiscoverssomanyinfinitewondersinthelowestcreatures，yetwhichwasnotofparticularserviceinanyofthebeautifulobservationsuponwhichhisfameisbuilt。

ReturningtoAvignon，inthepossessionofhisnewdegree，hecommencedanimportanttaskwhichtookhimnearlytwentyyearstocomplete：apainstakingtreatiseontheSphaeriaceaeofVaucluse，thatsingularfamilyoffungiwhichcoverfallenleavesanddeadtwigswiththeirblackishfructifications；aremarkablepieceofwork，fullofthemostvaluabledocumentation，aswerethetheseswhosesubjectsIhavejustdetailed；butwithoutbelittlingthefameoftheirauthor，onemaysaythatanother，inhisplace，mighthaveacquittedhimselfaswell。

Althoughhecontinuedtoundertakeresearchesoflimitedinterestandimportance，althoughhepersistedindissectingplants，and，althoughhedislikedit，in“disembowellinganimals。”thefactwasthatapartfromThursdaysandSundaysitwasscarcelypossibleforhimtoescapefromhisweek’swork；hardlypossibletosnatchsufficientleisuretoundertakethestudiestowardwhichhefelthimselfmoreparticularlydrawn。Tieddownbyhisduties，whichheldhimboundtoadisciplinethatonlylefthimbriefmoments，andbytheforcedhack-workimposeduponhimbythenecessityofearninghisdailybread，hehadscarcelyanytimeforobservationexceptingvacationsandholidays。

ThenhewouldhastentoCarpentras，happytoholdthekeytothemeadows，andwanderacrosscountryandalongthesunkenlanes，collectinghisbeautifulinsects，breathingthefreeair，thescentofthevinesandolives，andgazinguponMontVentoux，closeathand，whosesilversummitwouldnowbehiddeninthecloudsandnowwouldglitterintheraysofthesun。

Carpentraswasnotmerelythecountryinwhichhiswife’sparentsdwelt：itwas，aboveall，auniqueandprivilegedhomeforinsects；notonaccountofitsflora，butbecauseofthesoil，akindoflimestonemingledwithsandandclay，asoftmarl，inwhichtheburrowinghymenopteracouldeasilyestablishtheirburrowsandtheirnests。Certainofthem，indeed，livedonlythere，oratleastitwouldhavebeenextremelydifficulttofindthemelsewhere；suchwasthefamousCerceris；suchagain，wastheyellow-wingedSphex，thatotherwaspwhichsoartisticallystabsandparalysesthecricket，“thebrownviolinistoftheclods。”

AtCarpentrastootheAnthophoraelivedinabundance；thosewildbeeswithwhomthevexedandenigmatichistoryoftheSitarisandtheMelo？isboundup；thoselittlebeetles，cousinsoftheCantharides，whosecomplexmetamorphosesandastonishingandpeculiarhabitshavebeenrevealedbyFabre。Thismemoirmarkedthesecondstageofhisscientificcareer，andfollowed，atanintervaloftwoyears，themagnificentobservationsontheCerceris。

Thesetwostudies，truemasterpiecesofscience，alreadyconstitutedtwoexcellenttitlestofame，andwouldbythemselveshavesufficedtofillanaturalist’swholelifetimeandtomakehisnameillustrious。

>Fromthattimeforwardhehadnopeer。TheInstituteawardedhimoneofitsMontyonprizes(4/11。)，“anhonourofwhich，needlesstosay，hehadneverdreamed。”(4/12。)Darwin，inhiscelebratedworkonthe“OriginofSpecies。”whichappearedpreciselyatthismoment，speaksofFabresomewhereas“theinimitableobserver。”(4/13。)

ExploringtheimmediatesurroundingsofAvignon，heverysoondiscoveredfreshlocalitiesfrequentedalmostexclusivelybyotherinsects，whosehabitsintheirturnabsorbedhiswholeattention。

FirstofthesewasthesandyplateauoftheAngles，whereeveryspring，inthesunlitpasturessobelovedofthesheep，theScarabaeussacer，withhisincurvedfeetandclumsylegs，commencestorollhiseverlastingpellet，“totheancientstheimageoftheworld。”Hishistory，sincethetimeofthePharaohs，hadbeennothingbutatissueoflegends；butstrippingitoftheembroideryoffiction，andreferringittothefactsofnature，FabredemonstratedthatthetruestoryisevenmoremarvellousthanallthetalesofancientEgypt。Henarrateditsactuallife，theobjectofitstask，anditscomicalandexhilaratingperformances。Butsuchisthesubtletyofthesedelicateanddifficultresearchesthatnearlyfortyyearswererequiredtocompletethestudyofitshabitsandtosolvethemysteryofitscradle。(4/14。)

OntherightbankoftheRh？ne，facingtheembouchureoftheDurance，isasmallwoodofoak-trees，thewoodofDesIssarts。Thisagain，formanyreasons，wasoneofhisfavouritespots。There，“lyingflatontheground，hisheadintheshadowofsomerabbit’sburrow。”orshelteredfromthesunbyagreatumbrella，“whiletheblue-wingedlocustsfriskedforjoy。”hewouldfollowtherapidandsibilantflightoftheelegantBembex，carryingtheirdailyrationofdipteratoherlarvae，atthebottomofherburrow，deepinthefinesand。”(4/15。)

Hedidnotalwaysgothitheralone：sometimes，onSundays，hewouldtakehispupilswithhim，tospendamorninginthefields，“attheineffablefestivaloftheawakeningoflifeinthespring。”(4/16。)

Thosemostdeartohim，thosewhointhesubsequentyearshaveremainedtheobjectofaspecialaffection，wereDevillario，Bordone，andVayssières(4/17。)，“youngpeoplewithwarmheartsandsmilingimaginations，overflowingwiththatspringtimesapoflifewhichmakesussoexpansiveandsoeagertoknow。

Amongthemhewas“theeldest，theirmaster，butstillmoretheircompanionandfriend“；lightinginthemhisownsacredfire，andamazingthembythedeftnessofhisfingersandtheacutenessofhislynx-likeeyes。Furnishedwithanotebookandallthetoolsofthenaturalist——lens，net，andlittleboxesofsawduststeepedinanaestheticforthecaptureofrarespecimens——

theywouldwander“alongthepathsborderedwithhawthornandhyaebla，simpleandchildlikefolk。”probingthebushes，scratchingupthesand，raisingstones，runningthenetalonghedgeandmeadow，withexplosionsofdelightwhentheymadesomesplendidcaptureordiscoveredsomeunrecordedmarveloftheentomologicalworld。

ItwasnotonlyonthebanksoftheRh？neorthesandyplateauofAvignonthattheysoughtadventurethus，“discussingthingsandotherthings。”butasfarastheslopesofMontVentoux，forwhichFabrehadalwaysfeltaninexplicableandinvincibleattraction，andwhoseascentheaccomplishedmorethantwentytimes，sothatatlastheknewallitssecrets，allthegamutofitsvegetation，thewealthofthevariedflorawhichclimbitsflanksfrombasetosummit，andwhichrange“fromthescarletflowersofthepomegranatetothevioletofMontCenisandtheAlpineforget-me-not“

(4/18。)，aswellastheantediluvianfaunarevealedamiditsentrails，avastossuaryrichinfossils。

Hisdisciples，allofwhom，withoutexception，regardedhimwithabsoluteworship，haveretainedthememoryofhiswit，hisenthusiasm，hisgenialityandhisinfectiousgaiety，andalsoofthesingularuncertaintyofhistemperament；foronsomedayshewouldnotspeakawordfromthebeginningtotheendofhiswalk。

Evenhistemper，ordinarilygentleandeasy，wouldsuddenlybecomehastyandviolent，andwouldbreakoutintoterribleexplosionswhenasuddenannoyancesethimbesidehimself；forinstance，whenhewasthebuttofsomeill-naturedtrick，orwhen，inspiteofthelucidityofhisexplanations，hefeltthathehadnotbeenproperlyunderstood。Perhapsheinheritedthisfromhismother，arebellious，crotchety，somewhatfantasticperson，bywhosetemperhehimselfhadsuffered。

Buttheyoungpeoplewhosurroundedhimwerefarfrombeingupsetbythesecontrastsoftemperament，inwhichtheythemselvessawnothingbutnaturalannoyance，andthecorollary，asitwere，ofhisaboundingvitality。

(4/19。)