[ 24.8 ] 

 XXXVII. Proceediiigs of Learned Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETY. 



[Continued from p. 168.] 



{^Anniversary Proceedings, Nov. 30, 1841, concluded.'] 



DR. ROGET begged leave to observe, that, for many years past, 

 it has been customary for the President, in his anniversary ad- 

 dresses to the Society, to give narratives of the leading incidents in 

 the lives, and an account of the scientific labours of the more distin- 

 guished associates of whom death had deprived us during the pre- 

 ceding year. The utility of such a retrospect, he remarked, is suf- 

 ficiently obvious. Consolation may be aftbrded to the survivors by 

 the just tribute thus publicly paid to the memory of those they 

 mourn. In marking the several steps of their ascent to eminence, in 

 retracing the services they have rendered to science and to man- 

 kind, and in establishing their respective claims to our respect, our 

 admiration and our gratitude, fresh motives of emulation are pre- 

 sented to those who are following in the same arduous paths, and 

 aspiring to the same honourable distinctions. The Society can never 

 forget how well these objects have been fulfilled by the excellent bio- 

 graphical notices we have been accustomed to hear from our Presi- 

 dents on each returning anniversary, and must feel how much reason 

 they have to regret the omission of the usual discourse from the 

 Chair on the present occasion. It is with a view to prevent this 

 interruption of the series being drawn into a precedent, that Dr. 

 Roget has now been induced, by the desire of the President, to at- 

 tempt supplying, however imperfectly, the omission he has alluded 

 to. Having but little leisure to perform this task, he wished to 

 claim the indulgence of the Meeting for the many imperfections they 

 will discover in the mode of its execution. 



Of the deceased members on the home list. Dr. Roget has been 

 able to notice only two, namely, Mr. Bauer and Sir Astley Cooper, 

 not having received, with regard to the rest, any authentic informa- 

 tion which was deserving of record in this place. It is impossible 

 for him, however, to pass over in complete silence the honoured name 

 of one, whose loss within these few days we all so deeply deplore — 

 the late Sir Francis CnANTREy*. But the calamity is too recent 

 and too sudden to afford the opportunity, if indeed the effort could, 

 under these painful circumstances, have been made, of collecting 

 the materials for a narrative which might render adequate justice to 

 his superior merits as an artist, and to his exemplary character as a 

 man. This tribute to his memory must be reserved for a period 

 when his biographer will be able to review the subject more exten- 

 sively, and with more calm deliberation. 



Francis Bauer was born at Feldsberg, in Austria, on the 4th 

 of October, 1758. While yet a boy he lost his father, who held an 



* He was born in 1782, and expired quite suddenly on the 25tli of the 

 present month (Nov. 1841) ; only five days before tlie present meeting. 



