No. 1.] SIR WILLIAM EDMOND LOGAN. 31 



SIR WILLIAM EDMOND LOGAN.* 



On the 22nd of June, at Castle Malgwyn, Llechryd, South 

 Wales, Canada's veteran geologist passed from his labours. For 

 several years his health had been failing, and he felt more and 

 more the need of rest and change of climate. Accordingly, in 

 August, 1874, he crossed to the mother country, intending to 

 pass the winter there, and then to return to his work in the 

 spring. But rest and a more genial clime were unavailing, and 

 now — kindest of friends, most indefatigable of workers for science 

 and for his country — he is no more ! We shall never again hear 

 the ring of his hammer ; but time cannot efface its marks, and 

 deep-chiselled in the face of Cape Eternity, the generations of the 

 future shall read the names — Logan and Laurentian. 



William Edmond Logan was born at Montreal, in 1798. He 

 was of Scottish pareutage, and his father, after a residence of 

 many years iu Canada, returned to Scotland, and purchased an 

 estate near Stirling, known as Clarkstone. His education was 

 begun at Mr. SkakeFs school, in this city, and 3ompleted at the 

 High School and University of Ediugburgh. 



On leaving college he betook himself to mercantile pursuits, 

 and we find that in 1818 he entered the counting-house of his 

 uncle, Mr. Hart Logan, of London. Here he remained for 

 about ten years, and here, it is said, he first became fond of 

 geology, making geological excursions into the country whenever 

 opportunity afforded. 



In 1829, he paid a visit to Canada; but, returning the same 

 year, took up his residence at Swansea, in South Wales, where 

 he was appointed manager of a copper-smelting establishment, 

 and of coal mines, in which an uncle of his was interested. 

 In 1834, he made a tour through France and Spain, visiting 

 many of the mines in the latter country, and making many ob- 

 servations on the geology of the regions through which he passed. 

 In 1838, his uncle dying, Mr. Logan resigned his position at 

 Swansea. But the nine years he spent here were well-spent 

 years; for not only had he gained a practical knowledge of 



* Obituary notice read before the Natural History Society, October 

 25th, 1875. 

 Vol. VIII c No. 1. 



