304 JVotices of Eminent Men deceased in Great Britain. 



beare, while drawing up the lists of the organic remains in our strata, 

 which are given in his " Outlines," was in the common habit of ap- 

 pealing to Mr. Miller's authority. 



In surveying the results of Mr. Miller's scientific acquirements 

 and of his exertions, we must not forget the important benefits ren- 

 dered by him to the Museum of the Institution of which he was Cu- 

 rator. It may safely be affirmed, that the history of similar collec- 

 tions, does not present another instance in which so rapid a progress 

 has been made in accumulating the varied stores connected with 

 such undertakings ; and the rapidity of this progress must undoubt- 

 edly be ascribed in a great measure to the energy and zeal of the 

 Curator in the service, and to the interest which he so well knew 

 how to communicate to those with whom he came into intercourse. 



2. Major James Rennell* was descended from an ancient and 

 respectable family in Devonshire, said to be of Norman origin. His 

 father was a Captain in the Royal Artillery, and fell at the siege of 

 Maestrich. James Rennell was born at his father's house, Upcott 

 near Chudleigh, in Devonshire, on the 23d of December, 1742. 

 He entered on the naval service of his country at a very early age, 

 where his spirit and exertions soon attracted the notice of Sir Hyde 

 Parker, with whom he sailed in the Brilliant frigate to India. After 

 the conclusion of peace, his eager desire for active service induced 

 him to quit the navy, and he obtained a commission in the corps of 

 engineers belonging to the East India Company. His zeal and abil- 

 ity in discharging the duties belonging to this station obtained for him 

 the friendship of many superior officers, and especially of the great 

 Lord Clive ; and he was soon promoted to the station of Surveyor 

 General in Bengal. 



The fatigues attached to this civil employment were sufficient to 

 exhaust the strength of any European constitution, conducted as 

 were the surveys, with indefatigable industry, along the banks of the 

 great rivers, periodically overflown and perpetually damp. But 

 these \f'ere not all : Major Rennell in encountering dangers which 

 are inseparable from military renown, had suffered wounds so severe 

 that he was, I believe, twice left exposed on the field of battle, and 

 never recovered from their effects up to the latest period of his life. 



* This notice and those that follow, are taken from the address of Daveis Gilbert, 

 Esq. Pies, of the Roy. Society, at their anniversary, Nov. 30th, 1830. 



