36 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 



sitions of the man. Science guards from decay the smallest particles of 

 gold added to her stores : they remain there for future generations ; but 

 the genial qualities which endear man to his fellows, and make him a 

 participator of the happiness of children, belong to the present, not to 

 the future, and when their possessor has passed away, live only in the 

 memories of those with whom he was associated. 



Much of Dr. Ball's mental activity was expended in connexion with 

 various scientific societies. He acted as local Secretary for Dublin of 

 the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and the Ray Society, London. It 

 was, however, in those properly belonging to Dublin that he was most 

 valued, for there the respect which attached to his moral and social qua- 

 lities made him a useful and influential member, irrespective of the 

 special range of subjects for which a society had been founded. To this 

 Professor Oldham alludes in a note addressed to myself. It was written 

 after the Dublin Meeting of the Association in 1857, in reply to a re- 

 quest that he would favour me with some recollections of our mutual 

 friend as connected with the Geological Society of Dublin : — 



" I need not say to you how completely Ball's aid and help were 

 felt here in the little every- day and every-hour intercourse of men mu- 

 tually engaged in the same great object, rather than in any larger effort 

 of his. Of his value as a friend, of his sincerity as an adviser, of his 

 eartnestness as a helper, of his conscientious uprightness as a workman, 

 I need not say a syllable. These are all better known to yourself than 

 to me, though not more highly appreciated." 



The following are the notes for which I am indebted to the kindness 

 of Professor Oldham. I rejoice that his brief visit to these countries 

 permitted the application to be made to him ; and I hope that when 

 these pages meet his eye, under the scorching heat of an Indian sun, he 

 may be assured that many a heart will respond to what he has written, 

 and thank him for it. 



* Robert Ball was an early member of the Geological Society of Dub- 

 lin, having joined its ranks in 1835, about two years after its first 

 formation. From that time until his death he continued uninterruptedly 

 connected with the Society, and was an active and zealous member. In 

 1 837 he was elected a member of Council, on which he continued to serve 

 for years. In 1843 he passed into the rank of Vice-President of the 

 Society, and in 1852 he became President. He was throughout a steady 

 and active supporter of the Society, and one of the most regular attend- 



