i4!5 



An Address delivered at ike Anniversary Meeting of the Geological 

 Society of London, on the 20th of February, 1835, by the President, 

 G. B. Gkeenough, Esq. F.R.S. S,c. 



Gentlemen, 



I rejoice to see you assemble in these long-desired apartments : the 

 increased facilities now afforded to us of pursuing the objects of our 

 institution demand on our part a corresponding increase of exertion. 

 Let it not be imagined that in accepting a boon from the Govern- 

 ment we have not incurred an obligation. Our claim rested en- 

 tirely on the sense which the public entertain of our deserts. The 

 full and accurate knowledge, which it has been our aim to ac- 

 quire and publish, of the subterranean resources of all parts of 

 the world, cannot fail to be useful: so long as the utility of our 

 establishment is distinctly felt, independently of its bearings upon 

 what to us appear the higher considerations of science, so long may 

 we rely on the continuance of public support; but our claim to that 

 support would vanish at once, if we should relax our exertions, and 

 fail to realize those expectations which our hitherto well-sustained 

 activity has kept alive in the breast of our benefactors. 



Gentlemen, you are well aware that all the accommodation which 

 5'ou now enjoy has not been derived, however, solely from the be- 

 neficence of the Government, set in motion by the Royal Society, 

 On our first taking possession of this house the repairs and alter- 

 ations occasioned on our part an immediate outlay of 1500/., and 

 1000/. more have now been expended in improving and furnishing the 

 new apartments, and in availing ourselves of such other advantages 

 as their acquisition has enabled us to command. The Council con- 

 sidering it imprudent that so large a sum should be deducted from 

 the capital of the Society, 500/, of that amount have been provided 

 by a voluntary subscription. 



The alterations planned by Mr. Decimus Burton have been exe- 

 cuted under his direction within the specified time, and in accord- 

 ance with the estimates. With what skill they have been executed 

 has not escaped the notice of the Building Committee ; with what 

 success is apparent to you all. You have been informed that 

 Mr, Burton has declined to accept any remuneration for his pro- 

 fessional services, but I cannot deny myself the pleasure of again 

 recording this new instance of his public spirit and characteristic 

 liberality. 



The concluding part of the third volume of our Transactions is in 

 the press, and the recent arrangements of the Council induce me to 

 hope that not this part only, but also the first part of the fourth vo- 

 lume will be ready for delivery in the course of the present year. 



The Number of our Fellows has received an addition of forty-two 

 and a diminution often ; of those whom we have lost, three only are 

 known to me as Contributors to the Transactions or as Geological 

 Authors. 



To the liberality of Mr. Matthew Culley, the chief of a family 



