Charles Lapworth. 197 



We claim Lapworth as one of the foremost geologists of all time. 

 His output of published work must be estimated by quality rather 

 than quantity, for there is no doubt that his ill-health of later years 

 prevented him from publishing as fully as would otherwise have been 

 the case. 



The ])rofound influence exerted by what i'* published is generally 

 realized, and we need dwell no longer upon this part of his work. 

 But much of his knowledge which he did not commit to print is 

 not lost, but is bearing fruit, and will continue to do so. For 

 Lapworth was a great teacher, and his students have proved this 

 in many ways. Ilis influence, however, was not by any means 

 confined to the lecture-room, and during the years of his Professoriate 

 at Birmingham the city was a geological Mecca, where geologists 

 of all classes went to discuss their work with one who was always 

 ready to hel]), and they ever came away enriched with new ideas, 

 which will aid materially in swelling the stock of geological know- 

 ledge. 



Many of us will recall the evenings when, after a hard day's 

 work in the examination-room or elsewhere, and having partaken of 

 a cheerful dinner, Lapworth would jierhaj^s sit down at the piano 

 and play his accompaniment to some gay song from the latest 

 popular opera, and the listener Avould think that the day's work was 

 over, until a move was made to the study and the Professor poured 

 out treasures from the storehouse of his mind until the small hours 

 of the morning, and the brain of the awed listener reeled. Or, after 

 the consumption of the midday sandwiches on some mountaiu-^lope, 

 he would explain the structure of the surrounding country during 

 the frequent intervals between the relighting of his pipe, until its 

 aspects during the different geological periods seemed to glow 

 before the hearer's vision. 



Experts and tyros alike have had these experiences, sitting at the 

 feet of the master. This was, indeed, a liberal education, and one 

 which will prevent his unpublished ideas from being for ever lost. 

 How sad it is to realize that the experiences are now things of the 

 past ! But the memories of them are dear, and we treasure the 

 recollection of the waves of joy and earnestness alternating on his 

 animated face, like the changes of light and shade on a hillside 

 beneath a dappled sky. 



Would that we couhl present a faithful picture of him to those 

 who had not the privilege of knowing him, but the task is impossible. 

 We have lost a great geologist, and withal a man of very beautiful 

 character. 



