i8si GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ANNIVERSARY 175 



There was, therefore, all the bustle of preparation in 

 the staff. Moreover, Sir Henry's great scheme for the 

 foundation of a school of applied science seemed now 

 at last almost certain to be carried out, and if so, it 

 would involve considerable change in the positions, 

 duties, and emoluments of a number of the officers of 

 the establishment. Add to this that the Great Ex- 

 hibition of 1851, which would open in a few months, 

 was the subject of much consideration in several 

 Government departments, and not least among the 

 officers of the Museum of Practical Geology. Occa- 

 sionally a minister would come to inspect progress. 

 Prince Albert himself went carefully over the building 

 and its contents, and took much interest in it. Among 

 the official visits there was one which is thus narrated 

 in the diary. ' 6tk March. Lord and Lady John 

 Russell and two children came here to-day. He, cold 

 and uninterested ; she, most charming and intelligent. 

 When I was introduced, he merely bowed coldly. 

 Ditto to all. Blewitt, the M.P. for Monmouth, he 

 coldly bowed to. "Who would have thought," said 

 Blewitt, "that I've sat beside that man and supported 

 him for fourteen years ; he is a nice man to keep a 

 party together ! " I had a good deal of conversation 

 with Lady Russell, and was much pleased with her.' 



The Anniversary gathering of the Survey this 

 winter was the most successful that had yet been held. 

 It is thus recorded: ' \$>th January 1851. Busy at 

 the Museum till nearly half-past five. Then off for a 

 short walk, and so to the Imperial Hotel, Co vent 

 Garden, to the Annual dinner of the Royal Hammerers. 

 And oh, wasn't it a jolly dinner ! We were : Sir Henry, 

 Forbes, Captain James, Captain Ibbetson, Smyth, 

 Aveline, Bone, Baily, Bristow, Salter, Reeks, Selwyn, 



