530 General Monthly 2IeeUng. [March 4, 



Such things were not done at haphazard. She would spare no trouble to search 

 out both the need and the means. With a touch of characteristic humour she 

 inquired of Sir Wm. Hooker whether Kew Gardens, so far up the Thames, was 

 not poor in Seaweeds. She had already found out the fact, and had secured the 

 Grifiiths collection, so rare and extensive that, without impairing the central com- 

 pleteness, it provided duplicates for six other Botanical establishments. She 

 probably had not read Schimper's monograph on the genus Sphagnum, and did 

 not know the details of the muscological collection of Brucli ; but she found out 

 that Kew also wanted Mosses, and that Schimper's great herbarium could be 

 acquired. Thus, not so much by wealth as by thoughtful insight, special depart- 

 ments of British Science were emnched at her hands. 



I could multiply such instances, if time served, in more local spheres ; and 

 extend them to branches of science with which the Royal Institution is more 

 directly concerned. It is almost superfluous to say they would touch the careers 

 of many students of Science, young and old, experimentalists, discoverers, halting 

 in their progress for want of the help that came from an unknown hand. 



It is not my purpose to examine the motives of this marked and consistent 

 attitude of the Baroness towards Science ; rather to suggest, as I believe, that it 

 was in the first place natural, and without motive, satisfying the instincts of a 

 mind peculiarly analytical, suggestive, and acute. But she was also deep-thinking 

 and far-seeing ; while she worked at the daily round, she was looking always to 

 the horizon. She knew the constant and munificent aids that Science had brought, 

 and must continue to bring, to the great human problem to which she devoted 

 her life. And it was inherent in her nature, in days gone by, when Science 

 appealed to a more limited and less generous circle than now, to select it, simply 

 on that account, for such encouragement as her means and position, her personal 

 sympathy and interest, could often afford. 



I have felt it a grateful duty, to the Baroness's memory, and to the honour 

 paid it by the Royal Institution, to trespass on the Managers' attention at this 

 length, for which I hope the reasons apparent will be adequate excuse. 



I am, dear Sir, 



Yours faithfully, 

 (Signed) W. BURDETT-COUTTS. 

 Sir William Crookes, F.R.S. 



Honorary Secretary, Royal Institution. 



68 Redclipfe Square, London, S.W. 

 Dear Sir, February 9, 1907. 



As the only surviving member of the family of the late Miss Agnes M. 

 Gierke, I have to thank you for forwarding to me the Resolution passed at the 

 General Meeting of the Royal Institution on the 4th inst. 



I am deeply grateful for the honour that the Institution has thus done to the 

 memory of my sister, and for the graceful appreciation of her services which the 

 Resolution records. 



I am, dear Sir, yours truly, 

 (Signed) AUBREY ST. JOHN CLERKE. 



[Translation.] 

 Pr(»kkss()R Sir James Dewar, F.R.S. St. Peteusbukg. 



Sir, 



1 am profoundly touched by your letter of condolence. Amongst all the 

 letters of sympathy for my husband, those which I have received from England 

 have touched me to the quick. 



I will always remember the profound esteem of my husband for his English 

 friends, and i cherish the best memories of my sojourn in England and of your 

 family. 



With kindest regards, yours verv truly, 



(Signed) ANNA MENDELEEFF. 



