part 1] AXNIVEESAET ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. Iv 



THE ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 

 Alfred Harker, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S. 



Jhe death-roll for the last twelve months is a heavy one, and 

 includes not a few well-known names. In preparing notices 

 of some of om- deceased Fellows, I have used various sources 

 of information, but especially I must acknowledge the help 

 kindly given by Prof. Cayeux, Mr. Lamplugh, Prof. Skeats, and 

 Mr. Barrington Brown, Jr. 



The death of Jules Gtosselet, in his 84th year, removes the 

 doyen of French geologists, and one whose name stood second on 

 the roll of our Foreign Members. Born at Cambrai on August 19th, 

 1832, he very early gave evidence of scientific aptitudes of a high 

 order. After holding several minor appointments, he was chosen 

 in 1864 Professor of Geology & Mineralogy in the Faculty of 

 Sciences at Lille, a place which became thenceforth his home and 

 the centre of his multitudinous activities. His immediate task 

 was no light one. The Chair Avas newly created ; library and 

 museum were alike wanting ; and science did not at that time 

 enhst much interest in a bus}- industi'ial city. This last difficulty 

 disappeared like the rest before the zeal of the young Professor ; 

 and indeed his subsequent labours must have convinced the most 

 sceptical of the immense material benefit which may accrue to a 

 country from the cultivation of pure science. 



Gosselet's whole-hearted devotion to his work, and his ability to 

 communicate his enthusiasm to others, made him an ideal teacher. 

 His old students speak of him with an affectionate admiration, 

 which is a high tribute to his personal qualities no less than to 

 his poAvers as an instructor. The time and energy not absorbed by 

 professional duties he devoted to geological investigation. Here, 

 too, his example proved inspiring, for he was chiefly instrumental 

 in founding in 1870 the Societe G-eologique du Nord, of which he 

 continued to be to the last the guiding spirit. 



Even before settling at Lille Gosselet had been attracted to the 

 Ardenne, already made famous by the pioneer labours of Omalius 

 d'Halloy and Dumont, and it was to the geology of that country 

 that he now addressed himself. He brought to the task a laborious 



