300 Geological Society. 



tinge of geological information, how nearly our subject is connected 

 with Agriculture, — with an acquaintance with the nature and correc- 

 tives of the soil, the supply of water, and facility of effectual drainage, 

 and numberless facts essential to the perfection of rural ceconomy; the 

 discovery and supply of stone, for building and the construction of 

 roads, the choice of the line of roads and of canals, and the facility 

 of their execution. All these are but a few of the topics that 

 come strictly within the province of the geologist : and which are so 

 essential to the prosperous management of landed property, that a 

 geological map may perhaps with truth be considered as not less 

 necessary to the country gentleman, than the topographical plan of 

 his estates. 



I am fully aware, that much of what I have just said is obvious j — 

 and even familiar, to the greater part of those who hear me : — But my 

 object is to be useful ; and I believe that some of those whom these 

 remarks are likely to reach, are not sufficiently acquainted with the 

 practical advantages derivable from our pursuits ; — and that others are 

 unconscious of the means within their own power for advancing them. 

 I shall conclude, Gentlemen, by congratulating you on the good 

 feeling by which the proceedings of this Society have always been cha- 

 racterized ; and on the self-command that renders both agreeable and 

 instructive the conversations, (I will not call them discussions— much 

 less debates,) with which it is now our practice to follow up the reading 

 of memoirs at our table ; and which have given to our evening 

 meetings a character more like that of social intercourse in a private 

 circle, than of the formal proceedings of a public body. This practice, 

 I know, has been a subject of doubt, to many who wish well to our 

 institution, and do not undervalue the personal character and dispo- 

 sition of our members. But, so long as our conversations are car- 

 ried on with the urbanity by which they have hitherto been dis- 

 tinguished, — while it is the wish of those who share in them to 

 give or to receive information, and not to shine, — and the object is 

 not victory but truth,— there seems to be no reason to apprehend any 

 very serious injury from the continuance of our geological warfare. 



There is still another train of thought connected with our meet- 

 ings, on which I confess I have sometimes delighted to dwell. The 

 spirit in which they have been conducted has been so kind, — so little 

 tainted with, or rather so perfectly free from, any admixture of the 

 leaven with which from interest or ambition most of the pur- 

 suits of life are embittered j — and our duties here have been asso- 

 ciated with so many offices of cordiality and friendship j — that when, 

 in after life, the cares and chances of the world may have dispersed 

 those whom I have now the happiness to see around me, I am fond to 

 believe that the remembrance of these evenings will be called to mind 

 with pleasure i — And I feel confident, that, as many of us already de- 

 rive the chief part of our enjoyments from the friendships to which 

 congenial pursuits have led, the Geological Society will continue to 

 be no less effective, in the production of warm personal attachment, 

 and of manly and ingenuous intercourse among its members, than 

 it has been, in maintaining an active and energetic spirit of research. 



March 7. — 



