56 THE ORDNANCE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CHAP, n 



he thoroughly enjoyed it, his presence brought a 

 brightness which gave general pleasure in return. 

 This mutual reaction continued to mark his social 

 intercourse up to the end. In his younger days in 

 Wales, when the tittle-tattle of a countryside was 

 beginning to teach him greater circumspection, he 

 passes judgment rather severely on himself. ' i^tk 

 February 1842. Am, on the whole, rather an ass to be 

 so serio-comic, sentimental, and universally captivato 

 flirt aceous! 



Although most of the time working alone, he had 

 occasionally visits from one or other of his colleagues, 

 or went to see them at their stations. De la Beche, 

 too, used to join him and spend a few days with him 

 on his ground. The Director-General was knighted 

 in April 1842, and early next month paid a visit to his 

 officers in South Wales. The following entries occur 

 in the diary of 1842 : ' $rd May. Sir Henry De la 

 Beche arrived at Caermarthen. I called at night, 

 when we walked down to the stables to see his horse. 

 As jolly as ever.' ' ^th. Out all day with Sir Henry.' 

 * \$th. Sir Henry left me to-day.' * ' qtk June. 

 To-day we [A. C. R. and T. E. James] found lots of 

 fossils far to the north of Llandeilo ; wrote to Sir H. 

 to come and see them.' * loth. Had a glorious find 

 of fossils, and played at cricket in the evening.' * nth. 

 Sir Henry came down and saw our beautiful section 

 by Cwm y Wern. We all bathed in a pool. Fossilised 

 a bit, and then home.' ' \^th. Rode to Llangadock 

 to see Rees ; a delightful night ; Sir H. very kind 

 about futurity.' 



It was one of De la Beche's characteristic traits 

 that, having wide aims, and clear views as to how he 

 should endeavour to carry these aims to their fulfil- 



