the late Samu6l Parkes, Esq. 11 



to lead imperceptibly from the rudiments to the higher branches 

 of the science, all conduced to allure the reader to pursue with 

 ardour so fascinating a research. 



Few persons have been engaged in so extensive a literary 

 correspondence, both in Europe and America. He courted the 

 friendship and conversation of scientific men both at home and 

 abroad, considering them as some of the most valuable sources 

 of knowledge ; to him they were sources easily attained, as his 

 works had rendered his name familiar to an unusually large 

 circle. 



In private life, he was benevolent, affectionate, and sincere, 

 warm and constant in his attachments, rarely offended, and 

 easily and quickly conciliated. To his servants he was an 

 indulgent and generous master, a contributor to, and supporter 

 of, every institution established for the purposes of charity, 

 education, or the promotion of knowledge. Few men have 

 ever departed this life whose loss will be felt in so wide and 

 varied a circle as Mr. Samuel Parkes; but that loss can only 

 be duly appreciated by those who possessed the gratifying 

 privilege of calling him by the name of friend. 



On the recent Adjudgment of the Royal Medals, by the Presi^ 

 dent and Council of the Royal Society. 



Mr. Editor, 



The destination of the Royal Medals, as lately determined 

 upon by the President and Council of the Royal Society, has 

 excited no small degree of surprise and dissatisfaction in the 

 minds of many of the Fellows, and of a large portion of the 

 scientific public ; and I am induced to request you will insert 

 this letter in the Quarterly Journal, lest silence on the part of 

 the malcontents be construed into acquiescence, and consi- 

 dered as justifying the singular proceedings of the Council, pro- 

 ceedings which, in my mind, are calculated to injure the cause 

 of science, to blunt emulation, dishearten activity, and rob zeal 

 and diligence of their fair prospects of success. 



I must, in the first place, disclaim all personality towards 



