226 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN SCOTLAND CHAP, vn 



courteously, as he could. The chief was now apt 

 to be impatient and somewhat exacting, as well as 

 inclined perhaps to push official routine and regulation 

 further than his able subordinates thought necessary or 

 desirable. Ramsay had an exceedingly difficult and 

 delicate task to discharge. He sympathised with his 

 colleagues, and was entirely loyal to the Survey, at the 

 same time that he had a strong affection for his chief, 

 and a keen sense of the duty of subordination and 

 discipline. So long as he could be side by side with 

 Sir Henry, there was little risk of serious difference. 

 The veteran's sense of what was just and fitting was 

 so strong, and his confidence in his lieutenant so 

 entire, that he soon came to an amicable agreement 

 when they argued a question together. But Ramsay 

 had occasion to be much in the field, and his place 

 was apt to be taken by other counsellors, whose 

 advice did not always coincide with his. Certain it is 

 that towards the end of 1854 De la Beche, feeling 

 that his own days were numbered, and being desirous 

 of playing some part in the nomination of a successor, 

 perhaps also somewhat displeased because Ramsay 

 had recently withstood the promulgation of a vexa- 

 tious ordinance, fixed his thoughts for a time upon a 

 geologist other than his lieutenant as the proper 

 person to succeed him, and there is reason to believe 

 that he privately communicated his views on this 

 matter to the Minister in whose hands the appoint- 

 ment lay. 



Up to the very end Sir Henry came to the 

 Museum, even though he could not leave the chair in 

 which he was wheeled into the building, and his loud 

 voice and hearty laugh could be heard all over the 

 place. He had still his joke for each member of the 



