Memoir of the late George Tate, by Mr R. Middlemas. 271 



berland," " The progress and diffusion of Science during the 

 nineteenth century," " The Geology of the Borders/' " The 

 Natural History of Coal and Fossil Plants." After being 

 Secretary for upwards of thirty years, he retired in 1859 ; 

 leaving, says he, " the men of a new generation to develop 

 the society, so as to meet the wants of the present age." On 

 his retirement, he was elected an Honorary Member — an 

 honour which he shared with Lord Brougham and Professor 

 Airey, and lately with Dr Bruce. 



Mr Tate married, May 26th, 1832, Ann, only daughter of 

 the late Mr John Horsley, of Paikes Street, Alnwick. Mrs 

 Tate made an excellent wife ; she saw and appreciated the 

 talents of her husband, and being of a thoughtful practical 

 mind, by her amiable manners, activity, and attention, 

 assisted him so materially in his business, that Mr Tate was 

 enabled, without sacrificing the welfare of his family, to 

 devote a large portion of his time to antiquarian and scientific 

 research. 



On the 6th of March, 1841, Mr Tate was appointed Post- 

 master at Alnwick ; an office which he held until about a 

 fortnight before his death when he resigned, and it was con- 

 ferred upon his daughter Ellen. On his appointment, he for 

 some time was compelled to attend daily to discharge the 

 simplest duties ; but he soon organised his assistants to dis- 

 charge those of routine, leaving them to refer all matters of 

 importance to him ; and, as his presence was still necessary, 

 this arrangement enabled him to pursue his favourite studies. 



Mrs Tate died in 1847, and for a time Mr Tate seemed to 

 have lost all relish for scientific pursuits. He threw all his 

 energy into business, but it was evidently to banish the sad 

 thoughts of his bereavement, for he began gradually to betake 

 himself to his usual studies ; and in the year 1855 abandoned 

 business, and entered upon the more congenial pursuits of 

 science. 



My first visit to the study of Mr Tate took place when I 

 was very young. I was shewn into his museum. A lamp 

 was burning brightly when I entered, but suddenly it went 

 out, leaving us in total darkness. I heard Mr Taie say, " keep 

 off the serpent" ; and knowing him to be a great naturalist, I 

 was in a state of terror, till another light being procured, 

 I was relieved by finding that I had not trodden upon a 

 reptile, but upon the flexible tube that united the lamp to 



