Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/266

This page needs to be proofread.

244 ^'^^ Me77ioriam : Lord Avebiiry (1S34-1913).

subjects of scientific research were connected with Geology, Zoology, and Botany, and his studies of the habits of ants and bees are of particular moment. Punch in 1882 had a happy fancy portrait of Lubbock described as the " Banking busy bee." He was fond of travelling, and his popular works on the scenery of Switzerland and the scenery of England told of this love and con- veyed it to his readers. The " Uses " and the " Pleasures" of life he explained to others, and he had every right to teach, for he knew. It was a great position that Lord Avebury attained to, and he won it by hard working and earnestness of purpose.

He gave of his best to his profession, and he was regarded by the bankers as their leader. But he still had time to devote to Parliament, to social improvements, to science, to literature, and to friendship. It is not necessary to mention in detail all the honours meted out to him. He received them from abroad as well as at home. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of London from 1872 to 1880, an office first held by his father; Vice-Chairman of the London County Council, and then its Chair- man; and President of too many societies to mention. In Parlia- ment he first sat for Maidstone and then for the University of London, making, as has been said, an ideal University Member. Dr. Norman believes that his own father (Mr. George Warde Norman) introduced Lubbock to politics by persuading him to stand as a Liberal for West Kent, where, however, he was beaten twice. He further adds that "he was a man of unswerving rectitude, and of infinite capacity for work, who was always animated by the keenest desire to benefit his fellow-creatures." In this high esti- mate all will cordially agree.

H. B. Wheatley.