56 PEOCEEDIJTGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOClETr. 



entertained by some as to tlie desirability of certain of the reforms 

 which it is sought to effect by means of its conferences ; but the 

 most sanguine and the most cautious are alike desirous of testifying 

 their respect and admiration for the numerous representatives of 

 Geological Science in foreign countries whom we hope to have with 

 us as our guests. All Pellows of this Society will, I am sure, unite 

 in receiving with the warmest welcome those fellow-workers from 

 other lands who, we trust, will visit us in great numbers on this 

 occasion. 



There is one other subject which I approach with much hesitancy. 

 Your President, now counting the last moments of his official life, 

 desires to speak with a seriousness befitting the occasion, and trusts 

 that his words may be received with those kindly feelings which 

 such farewell utterances usually e^oke. It is not surprising that in 

 a science like our own grave divergences of opinion should sometimes 

 arise between Fellows of the Society, who are alike honestly seeking 

 after truth, though, perhaps, by somewhat different methods. 

 Hitherto it has been the boast of this Society that, except in a very 

 few regrettable instances, such differences of opinion, while accom- 

 panied by healthy freedom of speech, have not led to personal 

 estrangements or engendered bad blood. It is always unfortunate 

 when, in cases of this kind, appeals have to be made to the governing 

 body of the Society ; but when this is done, it may be hoped that 

 disputants, if they cannot agree with the decisions arrived at (and 

 it is proverbially difficult to be a judge in one's own cause), wiU give 

 those who are elected by you to manage your affairs the credit of 

 doing their best to act in an impartial and conciliatory spirit. 



On another point my retirement from your service, after having 

 been elected ten times in succession to act as one of the officers of 

 the Society, may entitle me, without offence, to say a word or two. 

 The management of the affairs of a Society like this is by no means 

 a light burden. With a considerable experience of other societies, 

 I can safely assert that there is none more diligently or more 

 patiently served by its Council than the Geological Society. Some 

 of the Members of our Council travel great distances in order to 

 attend its deliberations ; and all are busy men, by whom the time 

 spent in the work of the Society could be agreeably and profitably 

 devoted to original research or to other duties. 



Under these circumstances I think it is not too much to ask that 

 the action of the Council, elected by you to manage the affairs of 



