IX 



AND 



[1862] 



MERCHANTS occasionally go through a wholesome, 

 though troublesome and not always satisfactory, 

 process which they term " taking stock." After 

 all the excitement of speculation, the pleasure of 

 gain, and the pain of loss, the trader makes up his 

 mind to face facts and to learn the exact quantity 

 and quality of his solid and reliable possessions. 



The man of science does well sometimes to 

 imitate this procedure ; and, forgetting for the 

 time the importance of his own small winnings, 

 to re-examine the common stock in trade, so that 

 he may make sure how far the stock of bullion in 

 the cellar on the faith of whose existence so 

 much paper has been circulating is really the 

 solid gold of truth. 



The Anniversary Meeting of the Geological 



