36 PKOCEEDHJTGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCLETY". 



Professor Eenaed, in reply, said : — 

 Mr. Preside]!^! and Gtentlemen-, — 



In rising to express my thanks to you, I labour under a great 

 disadvantage; it would have greatly conduced to my comfort to 

 speak in my own language, but the magnitude of the honour you 

 have conferred upon me makes me feel that I must at all events 

 attempt to address you in your tongue. 



To hold the Medal which you have awarded to me is no common 

 distinction. I cannot but feel that you are rating my merits more 

 highly than they deserve. Though not an Englishman, I never feel 

 myself a stranger in your country. I have visited it so often, and 

 had so much friendly intercourse with your scientific men, that I 

 am not altogether without misgiving that your Council, may, uncon- 

 sciously to themselves, have supplemented my deficiencies as a 

 geologist by their personal friendliness towards myself. The par- 

 ticular line of study to which I have devoted myself is essentially 

 English. Tour countryman, Sorby, was the pioneer of microscopic 

 lithology, and I have only followed the track which he was the first 

 to open up. 



In conclusion, allow me to say that though sensible of my own 

 deficiencies, I am confident that your good opinion will stimulate 

 me to fresh exertions. I shall pursue my scientific work with 

 renewed energy, and it will be my constant endeavour to show you 

 that your confidence was not altogether misplaced, and make myself 

 in the future worthy of the great honour you have conferred upon 

 me. 



