had destined him, from birth, to misfortune and obscurity, and he ascribed his first success to that protecting Providence, which happily raised up for him devoted friends and proctectors. We know that the attractiveness of his manners, when a child, obtained for him the regard and good offices of some generous citizens of Brives, his native place. M. Laroche,[1] a skilful medical practitioner, and his family, took an affectionate care of the young orphan; and after their example, a merchant of Brives (let us give the name of such a judicious and benevolent Mecænas), M. Malepeyre, took the warmest interest in him; lent him books on natural history, and never ceased to encourage and foster the rising taste which his young friend already showed for the science he was one day to illustrate. Let us hold this benevolent individual in honour. Perhaps had it not been for his mild and useful benevolence, France might not have had the honour of possessing the first of her entomologists!
"When he had terminated his literary studies, M. Latreille was intended for the church; it was hoped that the advantages of a calm and peaceable profession would thus be obtained for him; as it was, he was only delivered over to persecution and terror. Having been arrested at Brives, M. Latreille was sent to one of the prisons of Bordeaux, and there condemned to deportation. Afflicted with the same misfortunes as the illustrious Haüy, whom he had met in Paris and made his friend, Science
- ↑ An heir of the name and sentiments of M. Laroche was present at the funeral.
