May 25, 1857.J OBITUARY. 377 



with the important duties of his office in regulating and improving 

 the scientific instruction of the mercantile marine, acting on a 

 constitution which had been sorely tried in many a clime, hastened 

 that catastrophe which we so deeply lament. 



Not long after his election to the post of President he was 

 attacked by a severe illness, from which he only partially reco- 

 vered during a summer's voyage in the yacht of the Trinity House. 

 To that malady he feelingly alluded in the opening part of his 

 excellent Anniversary Address — the only one he was permitted 

 to deliver — when he thanked the other officers of our body for 

 the eifective manner in which they had conducted the affairs of 

 the Society during his absence. On coming with his family to 

 Tunbridge Wells in the autumn, where I happened to reside, I 

 found that our zealous President was suffering from a disease of the 

 heart. His affectionate wife and daughters then felt indeed, as well 

 as myself, that the utmost tranquillity was essential to the preserva- 

 tion of his valuable existence ; but he persisted in struggling with 

 unflinching spirit to ti-ansact business both at the Boaid of Trade 

 and in our Society. So dominant was this feeling that on Monday 

 the 24th November, Admiral Beechey attended the rooms of this 

 Society, and gave me, as the Vice-President he had selected to 

 represent him, precise directions for conducting the business of the 

 Council and of the evening meeting of that day. On Saturday, 

 the 29th, alas ! he was no more ; thus exhibiting that firm resolve 

 to do his duty to the last, which has ever been the glory of those 

 British seamen among whom Admiral Beechoy stood pre-eminent. 

 Pie had long been a distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society, and 

 was a member of the Council of that body at the period of his 

 decease. 



Francis, Earl of Ellesmere, a Knight of the Garter, Lord-Lieu- 

 tenant of Lancashire, and our President during the years 1854-5, 

 was the second son of the first Duke of Sutherland, and that gifted 

 lady the Duchess Countess of Sutherland. He was born in 1800, 

 and died on the 18th of February, 1857. 



In endeavouring, with the approval of the Council, to induce 

 this accomplished nobleman to succeed me in occupying the Chair 

 of this Society in the year 1854, 1 felt certain, from an acquaintance 

 of thirty years' standing, that through his varied knowledge, 

 generous nature, and love of geography, he would render us right 

 good service. His conduct, in directing our affairs has indeed 

 met with your hearty approval ; and as we lamented that our 



