333 



William, the subject of this memoir, was the youngest. This is the 

 whole of the information I have obtained about his family. 



His Zi/e.— William Lonsdale was born at Bath 9th September, 

 1794. Of his early school days I have not been able to glean 

 anything. He obtained a commission in the army in February, 

 1810, as ensign in the 4th (King's Own) Regiment. Two other 

 brothers were at that time officers in the same regiment. He served 

 in the Peninsular War and received the Peninsular medal, with a 

 clasp for the Battle of Salamanca. In 1815 he was present at the 

 Battle of Waterloo, and was the only officer in his regiment not 

 wounded on that day. He of course had the honour of possessing 

 a Waterloo medal.* The third battalion of his regiment in 

 which he had served was shortly afterwards reduced, and he 

 unexpectedly found himself placed on half-pay. He never again 

 applied to be employed on active service. 



Among the list of donors to the Bath Museum in 1826 appears 

 the name of Lieutenant and Adjutant Lonsdale, 4th (King's Own) 

 Regiment, and from which some have supposed that William 

 Lonsdale became Adjutant in his regiment. This is a misunder- 

 standing. Adjutant Lonsdale was his nephew, and William 

 Lonsdale retired simply as lieutenant.t 



After Mr. Lonsdale left the army he lived for several years with 

 his mother at Batheaston, and a correspondent tells me that 

 according to his own statement he became a Geologist from hearing 

 the conversation of two ladies in the library at Bath. They were 

 speaking of a fossil that had been found in the neighbourhood, and 

 being so interested in what they said he thought he would try what 

 he could find. The collection in our Institution shows what was 

 the vigour with which he prosecuted this determination. 



From the First Report of the Institution, page 25, we find that 

 in the year 1825 he presented to the Institution 800 geological 

 specimens, 290 fossils, and 69 species of land and fresh water shells. 

 The Institution was then in its infancy. Those who wish to learn 



• This is now in the possession of "William Lonsdale, of the 17th Regiment, 

 t I state this on the authority of the sister of the donor, desorihed as 

 lieutenant and Adjutant Lonsdale. 



