43 



pursuing his favourite sciences with that unremitted attention 

 which alone leads to original discovery ; and accordingly our Trans- 

 actions do not contain any communication from his pen: no man, 

 however, more steadily cheered us in our progress or more heartily 

 rejoiced in our success. In the year 1822, he was elected to the pre- 

 sidency of this Society, an office which he accepted in deference to 

 the earnest wish of the Members, and held for two years at great 

 personal sacrifice. His conduct in this chair afforded to us ample 

 opportunity of observing the native goodness and kindliness of his 

 heart, the urbanity of his manners, the evenness and cheerfulness of 

 his temper, and the aptitude with which he exercised every liberal 

 feeling. 



During the presidency of Dr. Babington, and at his suggestion, 

 was established the practice of submitting to immediate discussion 

 the papers read at the table of the Society. Apprehensions were 

 entertained by some persons at that time, that the collision of argu- 

 ment and the desire of personal distinction might interfere with 

 the love of science or break the bonds of social intercourse, — that we 

 might learn to contend less for truth than for victory. I appeal to 

 you, Gentlemen, whether the brighter anticipations of Dr. Babington 

 have not been amply justified by experience; whether our discussions, 

 continued now during twelve years, have not been strongly charac- 

 terized by a love of truth; whether the bonds of friendship have not 

 been more closely cemented by them. Our conversations have been 

 animated, but never intemperate ; they have encouraged the timid, 

 assisted the investigator in discovering the object of his research, and 

 given additional value to every paper in our Transactions. 



Dr. Babington was a Vice-President during the years 1810, 181], 

 1812, 1813 and 1814, and a Trustee from 1811 to 1821. His dona- 

 tions to our library and museum were extensive, and from subscrip- 

 tions set on foot to promote the objects of the Society his name was 

 never withheld. 



Dr. Babington retained to the latest period of his life a keen re- 

 lish for the attainment of knowledge, and made considerable sacri- 

 fices to enable himself to keep up with its rapid progress. After 

 descending from this chair he took private lessons in geology of 

 Mr. Webster. So late as the winter of 1832-3 he enrolled his name 

 at the University of London as a student of chemistry, and there 

 attended with the utmost punctuality a course on that science of 

 seven months' duration ; he afterwards in the same spirit, and in his 

 77th year, once more applied himself seriously to geology, and went 

 over the collection of fossils in our museum. I can scarcely imagine 

 a more gratifying spectacle than that of a veteran in the labours of 

 professional duty, thus returning to the pursuits which he had loved 

 when young, and seeking relaxation, not in ease and repose, the al- 

 lowable luxuries of old age, but in the indulgence of an enlightened 

 passion for knowledge. 



1 need not apologize for these extended comments j they are 

 more than justified by the occasion. The duties which yoijr bene- 

 factor owed to the Society he cheerfully and fully performed. May 



