194 ROYAL COMMISSION ON WATER. [1864-65. 



Philosophical Club, one of the two dining -clubs com- 

 posed of Fellows of the Royal Society, and he very 

 frequently dined out with friends. His Christmas and 

 New Year family gatherings were invariably a success, 

 when his house seemed to have developed wonderful 

 expanding capacities. 



The delightful entertainments given each Christmas 

 for the young nephews and nieces, when there was also 

 a muster of little cousins, were the occasions when our 

 geologist, surrounded by the children, was in his very 

 element. It was his custom to provide himself with a 

 bag of new silver "pennies" for distribution among the 

 little ones, to whom no party was ever equal to Uncle 

 Joseph's. 



One paper was published in the ' Geological Maga- 

 zine ' for this year " The Brick-earth with Elephant 

 Remains at Ilford." 



The following letter from Sir Roderick I. Murchison 

 refers to Prestwich's appointment as a member of the 

 Royal Water Commission : 



1st December 1864. 



MY DEAR PRESTWICH, On Monday last the Duke of Buck- 

 ingham explained to me his views respecting the water-supply of 

 the Metropolis, as set forth in the paper enclosed, and asked me 

 to recommend the person best qualified as a geologist to form 

 one of the new Koyal Commission, of which, at the Duke's sug- 

 gestion, the Government has approved. 



I hope you may be able to join this body, and if you abandon 

 the Jerusalem search, you may perhaps do so. 



At all events, I consider this question of the water-supply 

 more pressing and more serious than that of the coal-supply ; and 

 knowing your capacity to aid such a very important material 

 enterprise, I felt bound to mention you as the person best quali- 

 fied for the task. Yours sincerely, ROD. I. MURCHISON. 



You will, of course, send your answer direct to the Duke of 

 Buckingham and Chandos, Council Office. 



