Vol. 51.] ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. llX 



This post, which for many reasons was congenial to him, he con- 

 tinued to occupy ; and, on the retirement of Mr. Edward Best in 

 1893, Topley was entrusted with the entire charge of the office. 

 Throughout this period in London the multifarious duties of the 

 department gave but little opportunity for continuous scientific 

 work : ever busy, he was seldom able to do more than the routine 

 work of the office, but his wide knowledge and experience were 

 always at the service of his colleagues and of others who frequently 

 sought advice and information. 



Eager at all times to promote the progress of Geology, Topley 

 took a leading part in the work of that most useful compendium of 

 geological literature, the ' Geological Record ' ; and here his exten- 

 sive acquaintance with bibliography was of great service. Einally, 

 in 1887, he undertook the post of Editor, at a time when the 

 ' Record ' was in somewhat troubled waters, owing to delays in 

 publication. These had arisen, despite every effort made by 

 the untiring and disinterested exertions of the original Editor, 

 Mr. Whitaker. Two volumes, dealing with the literature of 

 1880-84, were brought out in 1888 and 1889; but. even with 

 the effective help rendered by Mr. C. D. Sherborn, the ' Geological 

 Record ' had ultimately to be abandoned. 



Topley joined the British Association at the Meeting held in 

 Brighton in 1872, and was at once nominated one of the Secretaries 

 of Section C (Geology). From 1872 to 1888 he served this office 

 during no less than fifteen meetings. He was for several years 

 Secretary of a committee appointed by the Association to report 

 upon the Coast Erosion of England and Wales. He was also for 

 many years a member of the Council of the Geological Society, and 

 President and Vice-President of the Geologists' Association. During 

 his Presidency Mr. Topley led the Association to the Ardennes, to 

 Northumberland, to the Wealden area, and to many other localities 

 in and around London. 



When the International Geological Congress arranged for a 

 meeting in London in 1888, Topley (who had attended previous 

 gatherings) was chosen as one of the Secretaries, and then, not only 

 during the meeting, but for a long while before and afterwards, 

 his energies were severely taxed with the many duties which he 

 had to perform. 



In 1885 he had prepared an elaborate Report on the National 

 Geological Surveys of Europe ; and he was much interested in the 

 question of an international scheme of colouring for geological 



