MT. 37.] WOLLASTON MEDAL. 67 



vestigation, has far outbalanced the few obstacles I have had to 

 contend against. I, in fact, feel deeply indebted to geology, as a 

 source of healthful recreation, as an inestimable relief and ab- 

 straction in due season from the cares frequently attendant upon 

 the active duties of life, for its kindly and valued associations, 

 and above all for the high communing into which it constantly 

 brings us in the contemplation of some of the most beautiful and 

 wonderful works of the creation. 



To have received this, the highest award of the 

 Geological Society, when he was not quite thirty-seven 

 years of age, was a remarkable testimony to the value 

 of the work which Prestwich had then achieved. 



In the memoir of Sir Andrew Ramsay 1 an incident 

 is mentioned connected with the award of the medal. 



Ramsay's account of this anniversary meeting was 

 as follows : " Sir H.'s speechifying day the Geological 

 Anniversary. Prestwich was awarded the Wollaston 

 Medal. In rising to present it, Sir H. upset two large 

 oil-lamps that stood on the table before him, and made 

 a prodigious smash. All the house laughed, and poor 

 P. was a trifle discomposed. He has a glorious head." 



Dr Owen Rees sent his congratulations in a humor- 

 ous note : 



6r. Owen Eees to J. Prestwich. 



59 GUILDFORD STREET, March 10, 1849. 



MY DEAR JOSEPH, I heard just now from my friend Waring- 

 ton Smyth that the Geological Society had awarded the Wollaston 

 Medal to you. 



Firstly, allow me to express my great disgust at your villainy 

 in not informing me yourself, as you have thus postponed a great 

 pleasure to me, who, notwithstanding your numerous bad quali- 

 ties, [am] absurd enough to regard you with some slight amount 

 of esteem. 



Secondly, allow me to express a conviction a heartfelt and 



1 By Sir Archibald Geikie, F.R.S., p. 144. 



