vi 



scientific basis. With this purpose he (in 1829) undertook the editorship, 

 and, to a considerable extent, the cost of a publication which he hoped 

 >vuuld conduce to the end in view. This work, which was entitled 'Re- 

 cords of Mining,' did not meet with the support he had looked for, and was 

 not continued ; but the part published contains four contributions from 

 his own pen. One of these, which deserves especial notice, is an excel- 

 lent and well-digested paper, in which he advocates the establishment of a 

 School of Mines in Cornwall, and presents a '* Prospectus," setting forth 

 the details of a plan for the foundation, government, and maintenance of an 

 institution of that kind, and for regulation of the instruction it should 

 afford. This proposal did not meet with encouragement at the time, but 

 the establishment of the present School of Mines, although he had no 

 active share in it, may be traced to Mr. Taylor's earnest and judicious 

 representations. 



In 1812 Mr. Taylor settled in London, and engaged with his brother in 

 a chemical manufactory at Stratford in Essex ; but although he had long 

 appUed himself to chemistry as a scientific pursuit, and attained a high 

 reputation as a metallurgic chemist, he was compelled to relinquish it as a 

 profession in consequence of the increased extent and importance of his 

 mining business. 



Throughout his eminently practical life Mr. Taylor strove constantly to 

 maintain a healthy reciprocity between science and practice ; and while 

 availing himself of his scientific knowledge for the improvement of tech- 

 nical processes, he was no less earnest in turning to account his experience 

 and opportunities as a mining engineer and metallurgist for the promotion 

 of the sciences of geology, mineralogy, and chemistry. We accordingly 

 find his name enrolled as a member of various scientific bodies, both British 

 and Foreign. He was one of the earliest Fellows of the Geological Society, 

 and from 1816 to 1844 filled the office of its Treasurer. In 1825 he was 

 elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and repeatedly served on the Council. 

 But of the several Societies to which he belonged, the British Association 

 for the Advancement of Science has been the most indebted to Mr. Taylor's 

 useful cooperation, both scientific and administrative. He was, indeed, 

 present at its birth, and the first meeting of its first Council was held at 

 his house. This was on the 26th of June 1832. He was also the first 

 Treasurer, and held that office till September 1861, when the infirmities 

 of age constrained him to retire from it. On relieving him from the 

 duties he had so long and so well discharged, the Council of the Associa- 

 tion joined in a unanimous expression of respect for his character and 

 gratitude for his long and valuable services to the cause of science. The 

 Council of University College, London, expressed themselves in no less 

 respectful and grateful terms when, for the same reason, he retired from 

 the Treasurership of that Institution, which he had held for many years. 



William Tooke was born on the 22nd of November 1 777, at St. Peters- 



