719 



in the course of it studied the more early fossiliferous deposits, and 

 brought together the materials for a memoir on erratic blocks. 



Other geological questions occupied his thoughts, and among 

 them were the interesting pheenomena of volcanos, and especially of 

 Vesmdus. 



Such is a brief account of the scientific career of this zealous and 

 active philosopher, as exhibited in the touching address delivered 

 after his death by his friend M. Elie de Beaumont. Science was not 

 however his only, or perhaps his principal occupation, though it 

 might be supposed that he had little leisure for any other. On the 

 contrary, he diligently discharged for forty-seven years the duties of 

 the director of a great national manufactory, and during the later 

 years of his life, he published two important works on the potter's 

 art ; an art which, dating from very early periods of human exist- 

 ence, so eminently unites the beautiful with the useful ; an art 

 assuming a very different appearance at Nola or Pekin,^ at Firenze 

 or Dresden ; an art which seems to mark out the kind as well as de- 

 gree of civilization of the different nations in which it has flourished 

 or declined. 



We should be mistaken, again, were we to imagine that natural 

 science on the one hand and the care of the establishment of Sevres 

 on the other absorbed the whole thoughts and time of M.Brongniart. 

 He took an active part in the affairs of the Institute, a zealous share 

 in the advancement of knowledge by scientific association, a;nd a 

 lively interest in the pursuits of other inquirers after truth. He- 

 was, says M. de Beaumont, " non seulement le savant eminent, 

 I'esprit superieur, mais encore I'homme aimable, I'homme excellent, 

 I'honnete homme, I'homme profondement devoue aux plus nobles 

 devoirs." 



He became a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in the year 

 1815, and died at the advanced age of seventy-seven, admired, re- 

 spected, beloved and lamented. He has left behind him a son in- 

 heriting his love for science and devotion to its cause. 



Upon the motion of Sir Robert Harry Inglis, Bart., the thanks of 

 the Meeting were gi-^en to the President for his Address, with a 

 request that he would allow it to be printed. 



The Statutes relating to the election of Council and Officers 

 having been read by the Secretary, and the Dean of Westminster 

 and Edward Forster,. Esq. having, with the consent of the Society, 

 been nominated Scrutators to assist the Secretaries in examining 

 the lists, the votes of the FeUov\'s present were collected. 



The Dean of Westminster reported the following Noblemen and 

 Gentlemen as being duly elected Officers and Council for the en- 

 suing year, viz. — 



President. — The Marquis of Northampton. 



Treasurer. — George Rennie, Esq. 



