162 REMINISCENCES OF 



prospect of, and the effort of preparing for it, would 

 do much towards restoring my energies to their 

 wonted level. Unable to resist their affectionate 

 appeals, I undertook the task. Having consented, 

 I resolved to do the work effectually, and so as to 

 make it tributary to my campaign against the 

 Brongniartian heresies which then prevailed through- 

 out Europe and America. As the meeting of the 

 Association approached, the public press became 

 considerably confused about two names. The 

 president of the meeting for that year was Alex- 

 ander Williamson, the chemist, whilst I of course 

 represented the biologists and geologists. We 

 were queerly mixed in the newspapers, when The 

 Times proceeded to set the public right, and suc- 

 ceeded only in increasing the confusion. All this 

 led to fun when the President introduced me to 

 the audience, and I mounted the rostrum at his 

 summons. I had prepared for my work with the 

 greatest care, and the lecture was pronounced a 

 success. Before we left the platform Mr. Spottis- 

 woode, who was present, asked me to deliver a 

 course of afternoon lectures at the Royal Institution 

 in Albemarle Street. This led at a subsequent date 

 to my being invited by the late Sir William Bowman 

 to deliver a second day course as well as one of the 

 Friday evening lectures. About this time there 

 sprang up throughout England and Scotland a 

 demand for science lectures. This demand was 

 promoted by the trustees of the Gilchrist Fund, 



