Bihlivgrajyhical Xotice. 555 



habits and thouijhts were influenced as well by its bright, cheerful, 

 and inspirit iiiijj aspects as l)y the darkness and dan<;ers of storms 

 and the liardships of a sailor's work. With trusty companions ho 

 weathered the tempests; and his natural f^aiety, real good-nature, 

 and high moral jirinoiplos enabled him to be cheerful and straight 

 amidst rough but well-intentioned comrades. So in after-life, 

 through years of hard work and narrow means, hopefully and per- 

 sistently he improved his knowledge as sfhoolmaster, and before 

 long as tutor and lecturer in mathematics and the natural sciences. 

 About 1840 geology attracted his attention, and ever afterwards he 

 assiduously worked at the rocks and fossils of Cornwall and Devon 

 in sympathy and correspondence with many geologists of note. The 

 geological structure of the country, the fossil fishes of Tolperro and 

 elsewhere, the clay-beds and lignites of Bovey Tracey, and espe- 

 cially the varied contents of the Eoue-Caves of Happaway Hill, 

 Brixham, and Kent's Hole, excited his scientific energies, using up 

 his leisure and his holidays. The results of his work, complete in 

 itself and trustworthy in its exactitude, gave him a high standing 

 among the intellects of the day. His knowledge was widely sought 

 for and freely imparted. The extensive correspondence with the 

 Author of the ' Principles ' and ' Elements of Geology ' alone shows 

 what influence Pengclly's experience and philosophic acumen had 

 on the establishment and progress of geological science. 



Of I'engelly's geological work and of his various published papers 

 (119 catalogued at pages 323-329), Dr. Bonney's Appendix 

 (pages 291-322) is a complete, critical, and scientitically correct 

 account, written ■witli a deep and ati'ectionate sympathy for the 

 deceased friend and fellow-worker. 



Mr. F. S. Ellis, an old friend and neighbour at Torquay, has 

 written the Preface for the Memoir, with a full knowledge of his 

 deceased friend's life and circumstances. Ho truly observes : — " It 

 can scarcely fail to force itself on the reader of the ensuing pages 

 that the special note of William Pengclly's character, apart from the 

 energy, perseverance, clear-sightedness, wit, and abundant good 

 humour which distinguished him, was his extraordinary unselfish- 

 ness.'' 



In many directions during his life Pengelly was in touch with 

 difi'erent classes of society, and left incidental notes of their ways 

 and thoughts. These collected records (1812-1894) constitute a 

 not unimportant part of the history of British science, and, indeed, 

 a good chapter of English historj-, as to the people of various degrees 

 and conditions, in their intellectual aspect. 



His influence for good affected a large circle, both of those who 

 knew him and those who have known his writings. It was a steady 

 light replacing the gloom around it. For the advancement of good 

 and useful knowledge he laboured hard for many years, as the 

 several Institutions and Museums of Devon, Cornwall, and elsewhere 

 can testify, and as the elaborate " Memoir" before us fully shows. 

 Not only of " Men of Might," battling against armed enemies, but 



