Henry Clifton Sorby. | lxv 
resist the temptation to enquire into ancient conceptions of cosmogony and 
geography, the archeology of natural history, and the origin of the ideas 
connected with the more or less mythological animals met with in ancient 
art. In pursuance of the quest he took up the study of Egyptian 
hieroglyphics, since he found so many of the natural history stories to be 
traceable back to Egypt and Babylonia. Addressing his friends in Sheffield 
on these matters he added, “ with a view of carrying out this very extensive 
subject, I have collected most of the original works of importance from the 
earliest period down to medieval times. This study will, I hope, ultimately 
lead to some important results in connection with the history of science and 
art.” His vast preparations, however, remain behind him as a memorial of 
the indefatigable energy, the vivid interest in a wide range of enquiry, and 
the thoroughness of method which he retained unimpaired at the age of more 
than three score years and ten. 
Dr. Sorby was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1857. In 1863 he 
gave the Bakerian Lecture to which reference has above been made. He 
received a Royal Medal in 1874 “for his researches in Slaty Cleavage, and on 
the minute structure of Minerals and Rocks; for the construction of the 
Micro-spectroscope, and for his researches on Colouring Matters.” He served 
on the Council in 1876—77. 
His connection with the Geological Society was not less close. He became 
a Fellow of that body in 1850, and in 1869 received the Wollaston Medal, 
the highest distinction in the gift of the Society. He was elected President 
in 1878, and during the two years in which he held office he gave two 
memorable Addresses in which he discussed the minute structure and the 
origin of limestones and of non-calcareous sedimentary rocks. He communicated 
a number of masterly papers to the Society’s Quarterly Journal, the last of 
the series, as already mentioned, having been his latest scientific achievement, 
written in bed shortly before his death. 
Living all his life at Sheffield among his books and experiments, he was 
personally known to a comparative sinall circle of his contemporaries. Those 
who had the advantage of his acquaintance or his friendship were struck with 
his unassuming, childlike, trustful disposition, his kindly and helpful ways, 
and, above all, with the singularly absorbing ardour with which he would 
talk about what was engaging his attention. He would discourse with the 
same animation, and almost in the same language, to a child as to a master of 
a subject. One of his peculiarities was a scrupulous regard for his health. 
It is supposed that he never in the course of his life got thoroughly drenched 
with rain. 
In his native town, where his fellow citizens were well aware of his high 
scientific reputation, his participation in municipal affairs would have been 
heartily welcomed. But he always shrank from mingling in public life. 
His name, indeed, was added to the Commission of the Peace, but he was 
hardly ever seen on the magisterial bench. He was keenly interested, how- 
ever, in educational matters, especially in the provision of adequate technical 
VOL. LXXX.—B. | to] 
