xii CHANCE— BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF J. P. LESLEY. [April 6. 



Never during the continuance of the survey were funds available 

 sufficient for a complete geological and topographical survey, and he 

 was obliged to use the more or less inaccurate county maps as the 

 base upon which to lay down geological coloring and structure. 

 This he greatly deplored, constantly grieving that he could not con- 

 struct accurate maps and continually urging the inauguration of a 

 topographical survey of the state. This latter object he never at- 

 tained, but in one district he was able to construct maps more to 

 his liking. This was in the anthracite coal-field where, through 

 cooperation of the land and coal companies, the frame-work for an 

 accurate mapping of the district became available, and there he 

 developed the style of mapping he hoped to see extended to cover 

 the whole state. This work was entrusted to Mr. Charles A. Ash- 

 burner, a talented young assistant (a member of this society, since 

 deceased), who retired from the survey prior to its completion, but 

 not before he had ably planned to realize Professor Lesley's high 

 ideals of accuracy and geological completeness, and now after twenty 

 years the anthracite mine sheets of this survey are unapproached, 

 unrivalled, in beauty, accuracy and practical utility by any govern- 

 mental survey publications, standing as present-day models of artis- 

 tic, accurate geological mapping. 



Through all these years he sacrificed much to the people of Penn- 

 sylvania, relinguishing the fees of a large professional practice, sur- 

 rendering his compensation at the University of Pennsylvania, and 

 even delegating to others many functions dear to his heart in this 

 -society, all that he might better serve his fellow citizens, set higher 

 standards for geological work and prove its value in the practical 

 development of his country. 



At the last, he undertook the preparation of a '' Final Summary 

 Report," a digest of the numerous Reports of Progress. This her- 

 culean task was assumed at a period when nature was calling upon 

 him to rest, but disregarding all warnings he set himself at it, deter- 

 mined that it should be done. Over i,8oo octavo pages tell us how 

 well that work was done. It sets a standard for governmental 

 reports. Nowhere can be found a more lucid exposition of facts 

 and principles, unmarred by the assertion of personal theories, un- 

 biased, thorough and complete. In the introductory chapters of the 



