JE INT OIRILAUL, 
Tue seventh session of the International Congress of Geolo- 
gists was, and undoubtedly will always remain, the most remark- 
able in the history of this organization. In conception and in 
execution its plans far exceeded those of any session that pre- 
ceded it, and were much greater than may be expected for any 
that may follow. Governmental, industrial and social forces” 
conspired to secure the success of the programme prepared by 
the Russian geologists. A most powerful government not only 
lent its hearty sympathy but furnished material assistance and 
codperation. The Emperor and Empress received a delegation 
from all the countries represented at the congress, and all mem- 
bers in attendance were given a luncheon in the summer palace. 
The Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovitch and the Princess 
d’Oldenbourg and the Minister of Agriculture and Domains 
opened the session and welcomed the members to St. Petersbourg. 
The Grand Duke Constantine and the Grand Duchess Elisabeth 
Mavrikievna entertained a large number of the geologists at their 
palace. The mayor of St. Petersbourg invited all the members 
to a reception in the city hall. These tokens of good will and 
approval could not have been stronger; their genuineness was 
proved by the material benefits enjoyed by all who took part in 
the congress and the excursions. First-class passes were furn- 
ished over all the railroads of European Russia and Finland, 
good for three months, and entitling one to the use of sleeping 
cars. Many official courtesies were also extended which often 
amounted to complete freedom from customs and police surveil- 
lance, and greatly simplified traveling through various govern- 
mental provinces into remote parts of the empire. Industrial 
enterprises, in any way indebted to geological science, exhibited 
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