30 JPebruary, 



THE FATHER OF IRISH FIEI.D CI.UBS. 



BY S. A STEWART, F.B.S. IJD. 



(Read before the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, 30th November, 1901.) 



It is with feelings of deep regret that I, this evening, announce 

 the death of a distinguished scientist, Prof Ralph Tate, F.G.S., 

 F.L.S., the virtual founder of the Belfast Naturalists' Field 

 Club. As many of those who have been added to the Club in 

 recent years are unaware of the circumstances which led up 

 to Mr. Tate's connection with Belfast and its Naturalists' Club, 

 I shall ver3^ briefl}^ state how it came about. The Government 

 Department of Science and Art was originated in 1852 with 

 the object of spreading scientific andartistic culture throughout 

 the country. One of its methods was by originating courses 

 of scientific lectures where such were desired. In pursuance 

 of this object Prof. Jukes, of the Geological Survej^, was 

 commissioned to lecture on geology in Belfast. Some of you 

 will, perhaps, remember these very profitable meetings, which 

 were held in the old Music Hall, May-street. Prof Jukes 

 succeeded in raising a considerable amount of interest in his 

 subject, and I presume that some here have not forgotten his 

 concluding meeting, which w^as held at the Cave Hill quarries, 

 and was attended by some 300 hearers. This was the first 

 scientific field meeting of Belfast folks, and revealed a hitherto 

 unsuspected want. Thus the ground was prepared for the 

 success of the coming man, and for the advent of an organiza- 

 tion which should combine the teaching of the lecture hall 

 with the practical application of its lessons by visits to choice 

 scenes where those abstract lessons might be viewed in the 

 concrete. A further forward movement was now made by the 

 formation of a local lecture committee, who succeeded in 

 arranging with the Science and Art Department for the 

 establishment of Science Classes in Belfast, which should be 

 followed by examinations and prizes. To the credit of the 

 Natural History and Philosophical Society it may be stated 

 that the sixteen members of this committee were all active 

 members of that organization. What was wanted here was an 

 all round man, with ability to expound and enthusiasm to 

 inspire, and this was obtained when the Department sent us 

 Mr. Tate to conduct our classes. 



