Vol. 6oT ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. lix 



plunged some time before by the tragic death of his son-in-law, 

 proved too much for a frame now much enfeebled by cardiac 

 complications, and he passed quietly away on the night of the 5th 

 of January. 1904. 



Few men in our time have been more widely known and 

 esteemed among the geologists of Europe and America than 

 Karl von Zittel. Though he stood in the front rank of science, 

 the most universally accomplished palaeontologist of his day, no 

 one could be more modest and retiring. None could with more 

 generous devotion, with more kindly guidance, or with wiser 

 counsel encourage the younger men and women who looked up to 

 him as their master. Great as was his scientific eminence, the 

 beauty of his character was if possible greater still. He has left 

 to the rising generation a noble example of a brilliant man of 

 science, unwearied in activity, skilful and graceful as a writer, 

 genial and stimulating as a teacher, sympathetic and helpful as a 

 friend. 



Zittel was elected a Foreign Correspondent of our Society in 1883, 

 and became a Foreign Member in 1889. The highest distinction 

 which it lies in the power of the Council to bestow, the AVollaston 

 Medal, was awarded to him in 1894. 



By the death of Alphoxse Francois Benard geologists in our 

 islands have been deprived, not only of one of the most eminent of 

 their fellow-workers in the petrographical department of their 

 science, but of the foreign geologist who (by reason of his frequent 

 visits to this country) was probably personally known more widely 

 amongst ns than any of his contemporaries on the Continent. By a 

 large number of the Fellows of this Society, his loss has been felt 

 as that of a friend whose cheery, beaming face and interesting talk 

 were always welcome. He was born of modest parentage at 

 Benaix, in Eastern Flanders, on September 27th, 1842. He received 

 his early education in his native town, and then became clerk to a 

 manufacturer there ; but a Catholic priest, having been struck with 

 the lad's bright intelligence, persuaded him to continue his education 

 and offered to defray his expenses. This generous recognition 

 formed the turning-point iu Benard's career. Beginning with the 

 study of the humanities at the Episcopal College of Renaix, he con- 

 tinued it at the Jesuit College of Turnhout, until in 1863, at the 

 age of 21, he entered upon the noviciate of the Society of Jesus at 

 Tronchiennes. From 1866 to 1869 he acted as superintendent 



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