ii 



is hard to believe, and yet it is a fact, that when Professor Bonney 

 read his paper on the origin o£ serpentine, geologists took this rock 

 to be some kind of animal remains, and his paper, as I am told, was 

 referred to a palaeontologist, before the Geological Society could 

 venture to print it in their Journal. 



There is one pleasure, I must confess, that Professor Bonney's 

 male students have not enjoyed, that of co-operating with him in 

 some of his work : that is an honour which has been reserved for 

 woman, who — as I think it is Browning says — can " always better 

 man's best." In our case — the so-called stronger sex — it has always 

 been labour rather for us than with us, and I have often wondered, 

 as we must all have done, how amidst so many occupations Professor 

 Bonney could find time to answer questions. Yet pigeon-holed 

 among my correspondence are letters of his enough to fill a volume. 



And now unwillingly I must conclude, leaving my story half 

 untold, for the kindest thoughts may never be expressed, so that I 

 cannot refrain from envy of the artist, who, untrammelled, is able 

 by his art to depict in life-like manner our teacher as he appears to 

 us ; but the wise counsellor, the steadfast mentor, and the kind 

 friend — who can portray us these ? 



To Professor Bonney : — 



Sir, on behalf o£ your former pupils and students in Cambridge 

 and University College, London, whose names are engrossed in 

 this address, I beg your acceptance of this portrait of yourself. 



Professor Bonney said : — 



My good friends and old pupils : There are times when it is 

 difficult to find words to express what we feel. That is my position 

 now — I cannot adequately thank you for this touching mark of 

 your affection or my friends who have spoken for the kindness of 

 their words. But in dwelling so much on the lights, they have 

 forgotten the shadows. There is much colour in that picture, I 

 fear there was still more in their eulogies. I am, for my part, too 

 conscious of the imperfections of all my work, both as a teacher and 

 as a worker in Geology. But for the one and for the other I have 

 some excuse to plead — it has never been my good fortune to be able 

 to devote myself wholly to science. Always there have been other 

 duties which have had claims upon me — not the least being that of 



