804 Notices of Eminent Men deceased in Great Britain. 
beare, while drawing up the lists of the organic remains in our strata, 
which are given in his ‘¢ Outlines,” was in the common habit of ap- 
pealing to Mr. Miller’s authority. = ne fy eee 
In surveying the results of Mr. Miller’s scientific acquirements. 
~ and of his-exertions,. we must ‘not forget the important-benefits ren 
dered by him to the Museum of the Institution of which he was Cu- 
rator. It ma¥ safely be affirmed, that the history of similar collec- 
tions, does not present another. instance in which so rapid a progress. 
© has been made in accumulating the varied stores connected’ with 
such undertakings ;- and the rapidity of this progress must’ undoubt- 
edly be ascribed: in a great measure to the energy-and zeal of the 
Curator in the service, and to the interest which he. so well knew 
how to communicate to those with whom he came into intercourse. . 
2. Major James Renneta* was descended from an- ancient and 
respectable family. in Devonshire, said to be of Norman origin. His 
father was a Captain in the Royal Artillery, and fell at the siege of 
Maestrich. James Rennell. was born at his father’s house, Upeott 
near Chudleigh, in Devonshire, on the 23d of December, 1742. 
He entered on the naval “service of his country at a very early re 
where his spirit and exertions soon attracted. the notice of Sir Hyde ~ 
Parker, with whom he sailed in the Brilliant frigate to India. After 
the conclusion of ‘peace, his eager desire for active service induced 
him to quit the navy; and ‘he obtained a commission im the corps of 
engineers belonging to the East India Company. - His zeal and abil- ) 
ity in discharging the duties belonging to this station obtained for hm | 
the friendship of many superior officers, and especially of the great | 
Lord Clive; and he was'soon promoted . to the station of Surveyor. 
General in Bengal. “in 3 a, Sees ea 
The fatigues attached to.this civil employment were suflicient t0 
- exhaust the ‘strength of any European constitution, conducted 7 
were the surveys, with indefatigable industry, along the banks of the 
great rivers, periodically overflown and perpetually damp. Be : 
these were not all: Major Rennell in encountering. dangers which 
are inseparable from military renown, had suffered. wounds 80 ss ait 
that he was, I believe, twice left exposed on the field of battle, and : 
never recovered from their effects up to the latest period of his life. 
thee A a oT ee ae 
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-* This notice. and.those that follow, are taken from the address of Davels Gilbert, 
Esq. Pres. of the Roy. Socicty, al their anniyersaty, Nov. 30th, 1830.) 
ag ge 
