ANNIVERSARY MEETING. — WOLLASTON MEDAL. XXV 



the galleries in which the shells, fossils, and minerals are so arranged 

 as to illustrate the value of the maps, sections, and publications of the 

 Survey, we geologists must feel more strongly than any other class of 

 men the deep obligations of our country to Sir Henry De la Beche. 



In speaking of this Museum as a School of Mines, and in recollect- 

 ing that the value of raw mineral produce extracted annually from 

 the subsoil of Britain is not less than 25 millions sterling, you must 

 be reminded of the practical and efficient manner in which Sir H. 

 De la Beche was enabled, from long residence in mining tracts, to 

 convey to many individual proprietors much useful knowledge in their 

 own local language, and to send them away well pleased with his 

 cheerful and friendly explanations. Here, however, we must extend 

 our vision beyond our Islands, and, whether we look to Canada, 

 Australia, the Cape, or Hindostan, we see that well-trained geologists 

 have been sent or are going thither from our National School of 

 Mines ; — thus making our vast Colonial Possessions keep pace with 

 the advancement of the mother-country. 



Now, as Sir Henry himself and many of his best officers have 

 sprung from our own ranks, let me. Sir, as a former President of 

 this body, and as a warm well-wisher to the progress of our Science, 

 express my conviction, that it is our bounden duty to cleave closely 

 to our offspring. Her Majesty's Geological Museum, — nay, more, — 

 to use our most strenuous endeavours to have it maintained b}^ the 

 British Government in that lofty position to which it has been raised. 

 We must, in short, not only hold firmly to, but act upon the faith 

 which is in us, and see that an Establishment like this, though it 

 naturally branches off into highly useful and collateral subjects of 

 Art, be never rendered subsidiary to them, but be permanently and 

 independently sustained on its own solid basis of pure Science. This, 

 our view, will also be taken, I feel confident, by every enlightened 

 Statesman who may be placed in a station to enable him to provide 

 for the future well-being of the admirable Museum, founded and 

 completed by our Wollaston Medallist. 



The state of his health having alone prevented Sir Henry De la 

 Beche from being present to-day, I am charged on his part to declare 

 that, but for the knowledge he acquired, the friendships he formed, 

 and the aid he received from his associates in this Society, he never 

 could have realized his scheme. 



In returning to you. Sir, and the Council, his grateful thanks, I 

 have only further to assure you, that this affectionate tribute from 

 his old friends has cheered him up in his present feeble state of 

 health, and that your appreciation of his services has made the 

 deepest impression on his heart ; whilst on my part, allow me to say 

 that I consider it a high and gratifying distinction to have been 

 requested by my eminent friend to receive for him this Wollaston 

 Medal. 



On delivering to the Secretary the Balance of the Proceeds of the 

 Wollaston Fund, the President addressed him as follows : — 



