XVI PROCEEDINaS OF THE 



wishes that Mr. Bennett may long continue to exercise the func- 

 tions of an office which every one felt to be so justl}'^ his due. 



I will now return to the more direct affairs of the Linnean 

 Society itself. Here, as is usual, we have to approach the subject 

 with mingled feelings of congratulation and regret. "Whilst we 

 have cause for great satisfaction in the progress which has been 

 made in science under the auspices of the Society, the increase in 

 the number of our members, the favourable condition of our 

 finances, enabling us to provide for not only the continuance, but 

 the increase of our publications, whilst we see fresh volunteers in 

 the peaceful array of Science enlisting under our banners, there 

 is another and a gloomy phase to which our attention is painfully 

 enforced. The loss which we sustain from time to time by death, 

 as it is always a subject of deep regret, and one on which it is 

 painful to dwell, presents on the present occasion a more than 

 usually sad aspect. Our obituary includes two of the most di- 

 stinguished men who have ever adorned our Society — Robert 

 Brown on our home list, and Alexander von Humboldt on that 

 of our foreign members, are names which it is an honour to this 

 Society and to any other to which they belonged, to have had en- 

 rolled amongst its members. The first scientific societies and 

 academies in Europe numbered them amongst their most honoured 

 associates ; and their mutual esteem and their high estimation of 

 each other's talents and labours reflected equal honour upon both. 

 To the scientific world the loss is indeed great ; and in our own 

 sphere, although, with the rest of the world, we lament the ex- 

 tinction of such a splendid light as Humboldt, yet as a few only of 

 our number enjoyed the happiness of his intimate friendship, our 

 feelings of-personal and affectionate sorrow are more awakened by 

 the removal of him with whom we were in the constant habit of 

 familiar and delightful intercourse. 



But to both these great men is due the tribute of our sincere 

 and profound regret. On the one hand, the Prince of Botanists, 

 the man of universal information, of a rare and solid wisdom, the 

 firm and constant friend, the kind and genial companion, the 

 honest and upright man ; — on the other, the profound philosopher, 

 the universal genius, comprehending within the vast grasp of his 

 mind such an extent and variety of knowledge, such an instinctive 

 perception of the truths of nature, as have rarely, if ever, fallen to 

 the lot of any man before him, — such are the two men whom, as 

 during this life they were the objects of our veneration and love, 

 w^ now, with a corresponding earnestness, deplore. 



