British Association. 383 



derived ; and I cannot mention tlie name of my former Tutor 

 without acknowledging the deep debt of gratitude I owe to the 

 memory of that able, conscientious and single-hearted man. 



It was at this period that a small knot of Geologists, headed by 

 Broderiph, Buckland, the two Conybeares and Kidd, had begun to 

 stimulate the curiosity of the Students and resident Graduates by 

 lectures and geological excursions in the neighbourhood of this town. 

 The lively illustrations of Buckland, combined with genuine talent, 

 by degrees attracted crowds to his teaching ; and the foundations 

 of that interesting science, already advancing under the illustrious 

 Cuvier in France, and destined soon to spread over Europe, 

 were at this time fairly laid in England within these classical' 

 Halls. Many a time in those days have ray studies been agree- 

 ably interrupted by the cheerful laugh which invariably accom- 

 panied the quaint and witty terms in which Buckland usually 

 announced to his brother geologists some new discovery, or il- 

 lustrated the facts and principles of his favourite science. At 

 the time, however, to which I refer, the study of physical science 

 was chiefly confined to a somewhat scanty attendance on the 

 Chemical Lectures of Dr. Kidd, and on those on Experimental 

 Philosophy by Rigaud; and in pure mathematics the Fluxional 

 Notation still kept its ground. In the year 1818, Vince's As- 

 tronomy, and in the following year the Differential Notation, 

 were first introduced in the mathematical examinations for hon- 

 ours. At that time, that fine foundation the Radcliffe Observa- 

 tory was wholly inactive ; the Observer was in declining health 

 and the establishment was neither useful to astronomical 

 students, nor did it contribute in any way to the advancement 

 of astronomical science. Even from the commencement of the 

 present century, and in proportion as the standard of acquirement 

 in classical learning was gradually raised by the emulation excited 

 by the examinations for honours, the attendance on the above- 

 mentioned Lectures gradually declined : but a similar cause en- 

 hanced the acquirements of students in pure and applied mathe- 

 matics, and the University began to number among its Graduates 

 and Professors men of great eminence in those departments of 

 knowledge. Nor were the other sciences neglected : and as 

 Chairs became vacant, or new Professorships were established, 

 men of European reputation were appointed to fill them. In 

 proof of all this, I need only direct attention tu the names on 

 the roll of Secretaries, Vice-Presidents, and Presidents of Sections, 



