Ixxi 



bear witness that he was as much at home among the complicated 

 and disturbed rocks of Palaeozoic age, as when dealing with he 

 simpler structures of Mesozoic formations. 



He wrote also on the bearings of Geology on Sanitary Science, on 

 Petroleum, the distribution of Gold and Silver, and the Channel 

 Tunnel. Much of his time was occupied in the share which he took 

 in the work of scientific bodies. For fifteen years he acted as 

 Secretary to Section C of the British Association ; and he took an 

 active part in the proceedings of the International Geological Con- 

 gress, undertaking the laborious duties of Secretary when that body 

 met in London in 1888, and he consented to superintend the British 

 portion of the Geological Map of Europe which is being prepared 

 under its auspices. He also, in conjunction with Mr. Sherborn, 

 acted as editor of the ' Geological Record ' during the last two years of 

 its existence ; a task as toilsome as it was thankless. He was elected 

 a Fellow of the Geological Society in 1862 ; an Associate of the 

 Institute of Civil Engineers in 1874 ; and a Fellow of the Royal 

 Society in 1888. 



A goodly record this of work done, or cut short only by the hand 

 of death. Yet it was not to science alone that Mr. Topley's leanings 

 inclined. His appreciation of art in all its branches was a source of 

 pleasure which he delighted to share with those friends whose tastes 

 lay in this direction. 



But it was not his indefatigable industry nor his broad culture 

 that endeared him to those who knew him best. In spite of the 

 poignancy of the regret which his unexpected removal must 

 engender, they can look back with pleasure to that sunny geniality, 

 which made him the best of companions ; to the unselfishness which 

 led him, no matter at what inconvenience to himself, to give with 

 open hand whatever help he could whenever it was asked for ; and 

 to the warmth of heart which was a source of happiness alike to him- 

 self and to those who shared his friendship. 



The disease which landed him in an early grave appears to have 

 been brought on by drinking contaminated water during a visit to 

 Algiers in 1894. He hurried home more dead than alive, and reached 

 it only to die. 



A. H. G. 



