ANNIVERSARY MEETING. WOLLASTON MEDAL. XXUl 



and South-Western England, published in the first volume of the 

 Memoirs of the Geological Survey, is the best evidence of the fit- 

 ness of Sir Henry to conduct the establishment over which he was 

 appointed, and to carry out the geological survey entrusted to his 

 superintendence. 



The success of this first experiment emboldened the Government 

 to listen to his suggestions, that the Institution should be made 

 worthy of the country. By pointing out the importance, not to say 

 the absolute necessity, of establishing, in a country where mineral 

 wealth was so abundant as in our island, an ofiice where mining 

 records might be preserved, there being previously nothing of the 

 kind in existence, he succeeded in inducing the Government to erect 

 a special building for this purpose, and in having a School of Mines 

 attached to the Museum of Practical Geology, where all the details 

 and phaenomena of these important operations might be preserved*. 

 To the duty of superintending these Establishments was added the 

 geological survey of Great Britain, based on the Ordnance maps ; and 

 not the least of Sir Henry's merits is the skill and impartiality he has 

 displayed in the selection of the able staif of naturalists, geologists, 

 palaeontologists, chemists, and mineralogists, who have assisted him 

 in this great national work. With such a staff, the introduction of 

 lectures for the purpose of teaching the application of these branches 

 of science was not a work of difficulty. It became almost a necessary 

 consequence, and the success which has attended them, the frequency 

 with which they are followed by artisans and other working classes, 

 is the best possible evidence of the propriety of their institution. 

 But I cannot dwell any longer on this subject, — and yet there is one 

 point in the career of Sir H. De la Beche to which, on such an occa- 

 sion as the present, I must for one moment allude. One of his greatest 

 merits, and which I have little doubt has mainly contributed to his 

 success in this achievement, has been, that in pursuing the fascinating 

 charms of geological inquiries, he has at the same time cultivated, the 

 more exact and mathematical study of mineralogical investigations. I 

 cannot but regret that, as a body, English geologists have neglected 

 them. It is Sir H. De la Beche' s greatest praise that he has never 

 abandoned his first love for mineralogy. 



In requesting you. Sir Roderick, to convey this Medal, which I 

 now place in your hands, to Sir H. De la Beche, I have only to ask 

 you to assure him of the hearty good wishes of the Geological Society 

 of London for his future prosperity and health. 



Sir Roderick Murchison replied, — 



Mr. President, — ^You have so truthfully and ably enunciated 

 the services rendered to Geological Science by my valued friend Sir 

 Henry Thomas De la Beche, that any one, however little acquainted 

 with our pursuits, must at once perceive that this Society has truly 

 done honour to itself in bestowing its highest reward upon so eminent 

 a man. Permit me, in returning you his grateful thanks, to seize this 



* See Hopkins' Address, 1852, Quart. Journ, Geol. Soc. vol. viii. p. hxix. 



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