Rev. Mr WhewelPs Address to the Geological Society. 163 



I have but a single word to add in conclusion. This Society 

 has always been an object of my admiration and respect, not 

 only from the importance and range of its scientific objects, the 

 wide and exact knowledge which it accumulates, the philo- 

 sophical spirit which it calls into play, the boundless prospect 

 of advance which it offers ; but also for the manner in which 

 its meetings and the intercourse of its members have ever been 

 conducted ; the manly vigour of discussion, tempered always 

 by mutual respect and by good manners ; the deep interest of 

 all in the prosperity of the Society, to which, whenever the 

 hour of need comes, private differences of opinion and resent- 

 ments have given way. To be placed for a time at the head 

 of a body which I look upon with such sentiments, I must 

 ever consider as one of the greatest distinctions which can re- 

 ward any one who gives his attention to science. I trust, by 

 your assistance and kind sympathy, gentlemen, I shall be able 

 to preserve the spirit and temper which I so much admire ; — 

 to hand that torch to my successor burning as brightly as it 

 has hitherto done. And there is one consideration which Avill 

 make me look with an especial satisfaction upon such a result. 

 I have not myself the great honour of being one of the mem- 

 bers of the Society who are connected with it by an early inte- 

 rest in its fortunes, and by long participation in its labours. I 

 may consider myself as only belonging to its second generation. 

 Now if there be a critical and a perilous time in the progress of 

 a voluntary association like ours, it is when its administration 

 passes out of the hands of its founders into those of their suc- 

 cessors. It is like that important and trying epoch when the 

 youth quits the paternal roof. I will say, however, gentle- 

 men, for myself and for my fellow-officers, some of whom are 

 in the same condition, that our best cares shall not be wanting 

 that the Society may suffer as little as possible by this change. 

 And among our grounds for hope and trust, the main one is 

 this : that though the offices of the Society may be in younger 

 hands, the parental cares of its founders are not withdrawn. 

 We have to discharge our office with the aid and counsel of 

 those excellent persons to whom the prosperity of the Society 

 up to the present time has been owing. Surrounded by such 

 men, knowing their generous and ready sympathy for the at- 



