'94 Obituary — Henry Palin Gurney. 



Knowledge. He was one of the Original Members of the Crystallo- 

 logical Society founded on June 14th, 1876, and was a member of 

 its first Council. At one time he meditated acceptance of an 

 appointment in the Mineral Department of the British Museum, 

 but, notwithstanding the great attractions which work in a mineral 

 collection would have had for him, he did not feel justified, having 

 regard to the interests of his family, in becoming a candidate for 

 a post of which the prospective emoluments must be both uncertain 

 and small. 



Instead, therefore, of making research in mineralogy and crystallo- 

 graphy his lifework, Mr. Gurney accepted an offer made to him and 

 became a colleague of, and afterwards (1877-94:) managing partner 

 with, Mr. Walter Wren in the large establishment which the latter 

 had instituted, at Westbourne Park for the training of candidates 

 for the various competitive examinations for posts in the Ai'my 

 and in the Home and Indian Civil Services ; there his vast energy, 

 physical and mental, found full employment. His remarkable 

 powers of organization, and the personal influence he was able 

 to bring to bear on young men of ability at a very critical period 

 of their lives, contributed largely to the success of the undertaking. 

 The pupils of that establishment now occupy prominent posts in 

 every part of Greater Britain, and it thus comes about that few 

 tutors have ever been more widely known and respected. During 

 a large part (1876-88) of this period, he officiated as curate of 

 the church of St. Peter in Bayswater, 



When the Principalship of the Durham College of Science, 

 Newcastle - upon - Tyne, fell vacant through the resignation of 

 Dr. William Garnett, it was felt that the educational experience, 

 the wide culture and attainments, and the personal character of 

 Mr. Gurney marked him out as the ideal man for that important 

 position. His appointment to the post has been abundantly justified 

 during the ten years which have since elapsed. 



He devoted himself to the advancement of the interests of the 

 college in every possible way. Of the thousands of students who 

 have passed through the institution during his tenure of office, 

 many will long remember his kindly advice and ready help. His 

 charm of manner and sweetness of disposition made him everywhere 

 popular ; and at distributions of school prizes and public meetings 

 in general in Newcastle and the surrounding district, he was sure 

 of a hearty welcome. He took a leading part in inducing the 

 promoters of the Armstrong Memorial Fund to devote its proceeds 

 to the completion of the college buildings, and he afterwards 

 gave help and encouragement in obtaining further subscriptions. 

 Mr. Gurney provided a remarkable illustration of the well-known 

 fact that the busiest man is the one who is most ready to add to 

 his work and responsibilities ; he was the representative of the 

 college on the governing bodies of schools at Newcastle, Rothbury, 

 Hartlepool, and Middlesbrough ; he was a co-opted member of both 

 the Newcastle and Northumberland Education Committees ; he was 

 Chaplain to the Bishop of Newcastle, and also to the Third 



