25^ SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS. [May 23, 1850. 



improve the valuable edition published in 1824 by the late Mr. 

 Eichard Price. 



Early in the summer of 1852 bis health gave way, and he found 

 it necessary to withdraw from the excitement of active life. In- 

 creasing years brought increasing feebleness ; and the severe weather 

 of November last brought on an attack of bronchitis, of which he 

 died. 



Mr. Abel Smith was one of those men of calm, retired character 

 who, in the very centre of the busiest capital in the world, and 

 engaged in the most important transactions, pursued his tranquil 

 way in performing good works. 



Born in 1788, he early in life became possessed of ample fortune, 

 bequeathed to him by an uncle ; and after the death of his father, 

 he became chief of the banking-house in Lombard Street, known 

 as that of Smith, Payne, and Smith. He took great interest in all 

 the scientific discoveries and inventions of late years, and carried 

 out his views of the importance of education by promoting the im- 

 provement of the poor. Opulence never affected the simplicity 

 of his character and habits. Careful and discriminating in all his 

 transactions, and weighing with much consideration the claims made 

 upon him, he was princely in his charities and also in his acts of 

 pecuniary generosity. Appeals were seldom made to him in vain ; 

 both his sense of duty and the gratification of a most benevolent 

 disposition leading him to give bountifully in cases of real distress 

 and difficulty. 



Mr. Abel Smith entered Parliament in 1809 and continued until 

 1 846, during the last fourteen years of which he was returned for 

 the county of Herts. 



Richard Holmes Laurie, the well-known publisher of nautical 

 works, was bom in 1777. From the year 1818 he relinquished all 

 other collateral branches of publication, and contented himself with 

 maintaining the character of his nautical works for excellence and 

 minute accuracy. These works, unattractive, and not much known 

 to the general public, have high claims to consideration from their 

 wide-spread circulation and great general utility among geographers. 

 Mr. Laurie was very highly respected for his strict integrity. He 

 was one of the oldest members of the trade, and almost the last 

 connecting link between the old and new systems of publication.* 



* In addition to the above the Society has to regret the loss of the following Fellows, 

 viz. : — Alexander Gumming, M.D. ; H. Stewart Dykes ; Sir Isaac L. (Baron) Goldsmidt, 

 Bart, (whose liberal support of science and letters was widely felt) ; the Rev. J. W. 

 Martin, ll.B. ; James Morison ; Aristides Franklin Momay ; and Thomas Lister Parker. 



