380 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS. [May 25, 1857. 



plisliments of modern science. The publication of his first remark- 

 able work, the ' Reliqniaa Diluvianae,' natnrallj secured for Buck- 

 land honours and advancement, and through the patronage of Lord 

 Grenville he obtained a canonry in Christ Church. Shortly after- 

 wards Sir Robert Peel, with the appreciation of true merit which 

 characterised him, sought out and cultivated his intimacy, and 

 then came forth that ' Bridgewater Treatise ' with which his name 

 will be long identified. For to whatever extent new data have 

 since been obtained, this volume will ever remain a proof of the 

 fertility of illustration with which he could reconstruct and set be- 

 fore us the forms of bygone periods,* and thus make evident to 

 all, the prescience of the Almighty as exhibited in former epochs 

 of creation. In a subsequent year we find Sir Robert Peel, to his 

 great honour, presenting Buckland to the Deanery of Westminster, 

 in which position, notwithstanding his hospitality and important 

 occupations, he still found time to travel to and from his Alma 

 Mater, and lecture on his favourite science, till he was stricken 

 down with the illness from which he never recovered. 



But let no one imagine that, whilst some of his leisure hours were 

 thus occupied, including arduous efforts to improve the agriculture 

 of our country. Dean Buckland was inattentive to his duties as 

 the Head of an important Ecclesiastical Body. Not only do his 

 surviving colleagues advert with marked respect and gratitude to 

 his judicious efforts and his honourable conduct in improving their 

 establishment, but the public owe to him their real thanks for the 

 energy and determination with which, in a brief space of time, he 

 effected the reform of abuses which had crept into the ancient 

 school of Westminster. In that Foundation, education could no 

 longer be obtained except at costly charges, and even where these 

 were paid, the youths were ill fed and worse lodged. All these 

 defects were speedily rectified by the vigour and perseverance of 

 Dean Buckland. The charges were reduced, good diet was pro- 

 'vided, the rooms were well ventilated, and the building properly 

 underdrained ; so that, these physical ameliorations accompanying 

 a really sound and good system of tuition, the fame and credit of 

 this venerable Seminary were soon restored. 



As it must be my effort when occupying this chair to connect 

 every deceased member with geographical science, let me assure 

 you, from long personal acquaintance with Dr. Buckland, and hav- 



* This work, which was rendered much more valuable by the recent discoveries 

 of Professor Owen, was revised by Mr. Broderip. 



