1854.] Linnean Society. 297 



tions from me, and thus occupy a portion of the time which must 

 elapse before the result of the ballot is declared. 



The past year, Gentlemen, has been to us a painfully eventful 

 one. The number of distinguished men who have been removed 

 from us by death is unusually large ; and it is remarkable that 

 whilst on the 7th of last month there had been but four deaths on 

 our list, by that day three weeks the number was doubled, by 

 the loss of four of our very distinguished Fellows, The names of 

 Aikin, and Jameson, and Newport, and Stokes, and Wallich need 

 but to be mentioned to show the extent of our loss. It is not my 

 intention to infringe upon the customary task which Mr. Bennett 

 always performs so admirably, but I should not be acting in con- 

 sonance with your feelings, nor doing justice to my own, were I 

 wholly to omit the expression of my deep and sincere grief, in which 

 I am sure you all sympathize, at the removal from amongst us of so 

 many who were endeared to us not only by a community of pursuit 

 and a congeniality of taste, but by their social qualities, and the 

 frequent reciprocation of kindly feelings and of words and acts of 

 friendship. 



I cannot avoid a few passing words expressive of my esteem for 

 some of these lamented friends. My venerable and respected friend 

 Arthur Aikin was, for a period approaching forty years, I believe, 

 my colleague as a lecturer at Guy's Hospital ; and was probably, 

 at his retirement from the chair of Chemistry at that school, the 

 oldest lecturer, excepting perhaps myself, in any of the hospitals 

 of the metropolis. Although I was not thrown in the way of any 

 particular intimacy with him, I saw enough of his peculiar simplicity 

 of heart, amiability of temper, and high honourable principle, as well 

 as his extensive information and clearness of understanding, to make 

 me esteem and respect him highly. Besides, who is there, that has 

 now numbered so many years as to have received the education of 

 his childhood half a century ago, that does not recollect with the 

 liveliest pleasure the names of Charles and Arthur, the little heroes 

 of the delightful children's books, written by the father and the 

 aunt. Dr. Aikin and Mrs. Barbauld ; and with these reminiscences, 

 who does not feel an additional interest in the consideration that 

 the venerable octogenarian, who has so lately been taken from us, 

 was the identical little Arthur whose name is associated with these 

 early and pleasant teachings ? 



Of George Newport I would fain say a few words here. I need 

 not advert to his numerous and invaluable publications ; they are 

 known to you all, and to every physiologist in Europe. His dis- 



