Earf of Bridgewalei'^s Bequest. 35 



He was fully aware of the duty imposed on him to select persons 

 amply qualified for discharging in an adequate manner the task / 

 they would have to perform ; and he was also impressed with the 

 conviction, that, however carefully a selection might be made, 

 several gentlemen must be omitted, possessing the requisite quali- 

 fications, equally, perhaps, with those who received the appoint- 

 ment. 



For the purpose, therefore, of acquiring the most able assist- 

 ance, and placing the whole transaction above even the suspicion 

 of favouritism, or partiality, the late President was induced to re- 

 quest the aid of two individuals, as highly distinguished by their 

 abilities and by their learning, as by the eminent stations which 

 they hold in the hierarchy of this country, where able and in- 

 trepid champions have never been wanting to vindicate the na- 

 tural and moral attributes of the Divinity against the equally 

 dangerous attacks of infidelity, fanaticism, and imposture. 



The two distinguished prelates, the Archbishop of Canterbury 

 and the Bishop of London, most readily condescended to afford 

 their assistance ; and after much deliberation, and with the con- 

 currence of the noble Lord above alluded to, the work has been 

 placed in the hands of the following eight gentlemen. 



The Rev. William Whewell, M. A. F. R. S. Fellow of Trinity 

 G)llege, and Professor of Mineralogy in the University of Cam- 

 bridge. 



The Rev. John Thomas Chalmers, Professor of Divinity at 

 Edinburgh. 



John Kidd, Esq. M. D. F. R. S. Regius Professor of Medicine 

 in the University of Oxford. 



The Rev. William Buckland, D. D. F. R. S. Canon of Christ 

 Church, and Professor of Geology in the University of Oxford. 



Peter Mark Roget, Esq. M. D. Sec. R. S. 



Charles Bell, Esq. F. R. S. Surgeon. 



The Rev. William Kirby, M. A. F. R. S. 



William Prout, M. D. F. R. S. 



Each being pledged to take a part, as designated by the testa- 

 tor, most adapted to his acquirements and to his pursuits : and 

 thus it is confidently hoped and expected, that a work entrusted 

 to such individuals, will appear, as a whole, worthy of the age 

 and of the country about to give it birth. 



