1851.] 291 



to have preceded MM. Cuvier and Brongniart in that important step, which gave 

 such an impulse to this great branch of human knowledge. Under such auspices^ 

 and by his assiduous application, Mr. Taylor made the most rapid advances in 

 the art of Mining and the science of Geology. The early relations of this inter- 

 course ripened into a friendship, and sincere mutual regard, which lasted through 

 life. 



With such acquirements, he was soon called into active employment, and we 

 find him engaged, for a time, in the important ordinance survey of England, and 

 he was also employed by the " British Iron Company," whose extensive and 

 valuable property in South Wales, he investigated and reported upon. That 

 portion of the Ordinance Survey which he executed, was finished in a most mas- 

 terly manner, and his drafts were of the most exact and perfect kind. His report 

 of the topography and geology of the mineral lands of the British Iron Company, 

 were so admirably executed, that the Geological Society of London published the 

 map and descriptive parts in its Transactions. In connection with this, he exe- 

 cuted a model in plaster of that part of Wales,* which received so much ap- 

 probation, that the Society of Arts awarded to him their gold Isis Medal, 

 which is now in possession of his family. Subsequently to this, he was engaged 

 for some years, in England, in the examination of various mining properties, 

 after which he was induced to accept an appointment byHardman Phillips. Esq., 

 an intimate friend of the family, to remove to this country, and reside in Phillips- 

 burg, Pennsylvania, where he remained four years, under the expectation of 

 the professional employment promised him there. This was an unfortunate 

 movement for himself and family, which now consisted of a wife and four daugh- 

 ters. Having lost, in this residence, both time and money, he removed 

 to Philadelphia, for the purpose of seeking that employment in his profession, 

 in which he was so well qualified to excel. Previous to this, however, he was 

 engaged in the survey of the Bossburgh District, and the line of railroad, which 

 he completed, and made an extensive and able report in 1832. 



It was after this time, in 1834, Mr. Lea first became personally acquainted 

 with Mr. Taylor, which acquaintance immediately grew into a friendship, which 

 increased through life. Shortly after this, Mr. Lea had it in his power to have 

 Mr. Taylor placed in charge of the exploration of the extensive coal and iron 

 property of the Dauphin and Susquehanna Coal Co., in Dauphin county, Pa., in 

 which Mr. Lea had a large interest. Here Mr. Taylor remained about three 

 years, and developed the mineral resources of this extensive mineral district, to 

 the entire satisfaction of the Board of Directors. The whole of the lands 

 embraced 42,000 acres, in a rugged, mountainous district, which required an 

 experience and perseverance which few men had more of than Mr. Taylor. The 

 result of this great labor was an elaborate report, of 187 pages in 8vo., together 

 with about 150 maps, drafts, surveys and sections, which are invaluable to the 

 Company, and in whose possession they now are. In connexion with this, during 

 a period of cessation, in this country, of activity in such works, he employed 

 himself in the execytion of a model of this part of the coal basin and its sur- 

 rounding mountains, which occupied him many months. This subsequently 

 became the property of the Dauphin Company. It embraces in length about 45 



*This was the first model of the kind executed in England. 



