PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL & POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY 
OF THE 
WEST-RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, 
AT THE TENTH QUARTERLY MEETING, HELD AT SHEFFIELD, 
ON THE 4th JUNE, 1840. 
On the motion of Dr. Knight, seconded by T. A. Ward, 
Esq., W. Bennet Martin, Esq., of Worsborough Hall, 
Vice-president of the Society, being called to the chair, rose 
and spoke as follows: — Gentlemen, — Circumstances of a 
domestic nature (which it is unnecessary for me more par- 
ticularly to explain) have occurred, which might have justi- 
fied me in absenting myself on this occasion ; but as the 
arrangements for the meeting had been made, and the ad- 
vertisements issued, containing my name as the chairman, 
I determined that the circumstances to which I have ad- 
verted should not prevent my attendance. There is another 
reason against my taking the chair, and that is my incapa- 
city to discharge the duties of the situation in an adequate 
manner. I shall, hoAvever, do my best, and throw myself 
upon the indulgence of the meeting. The commercial pros- 
perity of the country, depending as it does on its mineral 
resources, and on the quantity of coal and iron which we 
can bring to the surface of the earth, for the support of the 
manufacturing districts, it becomes of the highest importance 
that we should use every exertion to increase our power to 
supply the manufacturing interests with those minerals. 
