JET. 62.] RECEPTION AT OXFORD. 253 



Lower Lias are so clearly exhibited. His intense en- 

 joyment of this out-of-door work was infectious, even 

 for those to whom the record of the rocks was as a 

 sealed book. 



When the date drew near for the move to Oxford, 

 Prestwich had to face the prospect of leaving his home 

 and that garden so entirely his own. He arranged with 

 his wife that they should leave it only after nightfall, 

 and this continued to be their practice in subsequent 

 years when quitting Darent-Hulme at the end of the 

 long vacation. It was less of a pang to say good-bye 

 to it in the dark. 



Their reception at Oxford was the kindest, and not 

 from the science side only, but from all sides. They 

 soon came under the spell of the ancient home of 

 learning, and perceived that there was a subtle essence 

 in its mental atmosphere which made it somewhat 

 different from any other. They felt the fascination 

 of the place, and were sensible of their privilege. 

 Shortly after his arrival, the new Professor of Geology 

 had the honour of being elected a member of Christ 

 Church College. He had also the distinction of being 

 chosen one of "The Club" a private dining club which 

 consisted of twelve members (several of whom were 

 Heads of colleges), who in term met once a fortnight 

 at dinner in rotation at each other's houses : only a 

 Royal command was allowed to interfere with this 

 engagement. A larger dining club was the " Ash- 

 molean," whose members were chiefly men of science, 

 and who also did our geologist the honour of adding 

 him to their number. 



He likewise had a cordial invitation from Mr Buskin 

 to co-operate with him in a series of social gatherings 

 for the discussion of University interests, but his time 



