ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 39 



which he was one of the founders and for many years President), 

 lectured on more than one occasion on various scientific subjects, as 

 as well as enriched the Museum with many choice objects of natural 

 history collected during his travels. .. ^ -, • 



He was also connected with the Mechanics' Institute during its 

 early years, and was active as a magistrate, being for many years 

 Chairman of the County Bench at Halifax, and a Deputy Lieutenant 

 for the West Riding. ,, . .- r 



In later years a stroke of paralysis, which compelled his retire- 

 ment into private life, only made him appreciate more his beautitul 

 2-ardens, until a severer form of his malady prevented ail mental 

 pursuits, and finaUy terminated his life on the 13th of February, 

 1879, in the 72nd year of his age. ^ -, . ^ • i 



He was a Fellow of the Eoyal Society, of the Eoyal Astronomical 

 Society of the Royal Microscopical Society, of the Geological Society, 

 and several others ; and although a certain timidity of disposition 

 prevented him from making original discoveries, few men were bet- 

 ter acquainted with the whole range of scientific inquiry; and his 

 kind and generous disposition, as well as the means at his command, 

 enabled him to liberally assist many who were pursuing the difScult 

 path of original investigation. 



David Page, LL.D., one of the most voluminous writers of 

 our day of popular and educational books on geology, was born 

 on the 24th August, 1814, at Lochgelly, in Fifeshire, where his 

 father carried on business as a stonemason, builder, and contractor. 

 He received his education at the parochial school ; but at the early 

 ao-e of fourteen he was sent to the University of St. Andrews, where 

 it" was intended that he should study for the ministry of the Church 

 of Scotland. Among the students at St. Andrews at the same time 

 were the brothers Harry and John Goodsir and Dr. Lyon Playfair. 

 In the ordinary subjects of instruction David Page made considerable 

 progress, and, indeed, his proficiency was rewarded by several 

 colleo-e prizes and honours ; but the special bent of his mmd was so 

 decidedly towards the study of the natural sciences, especially 

 geology, that, after taking the opinion of his friends, he <iecided to 

 devote himself to a scientific and literary career. So early as 18^4 

 (the year in which he left St. Andrews) he pubhshed an essay on 

 the Geology of Fife and Kinross ; but for some years afterwards 

 his labours were probably confined to lectures and anonymous 

 writings, as, with the exception of a volume of poems (pubhshed m 

 1838) we do not find his name attached to any works until alter 

 his connexion with Messrs. Chambers had commenced. This was in 

 1843 when David Page was engaged to act as confidential literary 

 and business adviser to those enterprising publishers ; and during 

 his connexion with them, which lasted till 1851, his influence was 

 felt in the production of those scientific text-books and other articles 

 issued by the firm, which undoubtedly produced a considerable diffu- 

 sion of scientific knowledge. His earliest work pubhshed after he 



