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Down Beckenham, Kent, 4 March 1874.

Sir,

I beg leave to thank you for your very obliging letter of the 27^th ult., in which you announce to me that the Entomological Society of France has conferred on me the distinguished honour of electing me, one of their Honorary Members.

I hope that you will express to the Society on my part, my most sincere acknowledgments.

This honour is particularly gratifying to me, as during former years I collected insects with much ardour both in England and South America.

Although not a special student of entomology, I have always felt the keenest interest in the subject; believing that it is admirably fitted for throwing light on many general problems in Biology.

I have the pleasure, according to your request, of enclosing my photograph; and I have directed Messieurs Williams and Norgate to send the French translations of my Origin of Species, and Descent of Man, to the Society, thinking that these would be the most acceptable.

I have the honour to remain with high respect,
Sir, your obliged and obedient servant,

Charles Darwin.

In response to a 27 February 1874 letter (see Correspondence vol. 22) from the secretary of the society, Eugène Desmarest (1816-1889). The French translation has not been transcribed but can be seen in the image view along with the title page of the journal.

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