1855-56 THE NEW APPOINTMENT 19 



tribution thereto. I had a very flattering note 

 from Mr. Blackwood on sending me proofs of 

 the light little article I amused myself some time 

 ago by penning. . . . The College responded to 

 my resignation by a letter acknowledging my* long 

 and valuable services, &c., in the usual official 

 terms.' The document in question was a letter 

 forwarded to him from the Secretary stating that 

 at a meeting of the Council of the College of 

 Surgeons on June 12, 1856, a resolution was 

 passed, to express " the great regret of this 

 Council at the loss of the services of a gentleman 

 who has been so long connected with the museum, 

 and who has earned so wide a reputation, &c, and 

 of their gratification that the cause of his resig- 

 nation is his appointment to an important office 

 connected with the same department of science in 

 the British Museum." ' 



Amongst the letters with reference to this 

 appointment which Owen received, the following 

 from Professor A. Sedgwick may be quoted : — 



Norwich : June 20, 1856. 



' My dear Owen, — . . . I trust that your move 

 to the British Museum is for your happiness. If 

 God spare your health it will be a grand move 

 for the benefit of British science. An Imperator 

 was sadly wanted in that vast establishment. 



' Ever yours, 



'A. Sedgwick.' 

 c 2 



