PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY, 
OF THE 
WEST-RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, 
AT THE ELEVENTH QUARTERLY MEETING, HELD AT 
WAKEFIELD ON THE 5th OCT., 1840. 
The Rev. Theophilus Barnes having moved that 
the President, Earl Fitzwilliam, do take the Chair, 
and the Rev. Henry Watkins having seconded the 
motion, 
His LoRT)SHip addressed the meeting as follows: — 
Gentlemen, when last we had the pleasure of meeting 
here, our Society had not assumed a very solid form ; 
but from what I have observed and heard of the pro- 
ceedings at other places since that time, I have derived 
much gratification, and feel now an- assurance that we 
shall assume that position which will enable us to confer 
great and lasting benefit upon the country with which 
we are connected. I well remember that at that time 
a notion was entertained that this was a Society the 
sole object of which was to advance the knowledge and 
interests of those who were more particularly connected 
with Collieries. Upon the present occasion I believe we 
shall have a practical refutation of the idea that our 
views are confined to such limited objects ; for I under- 
stand that in the course of our discussions this morning 
you will hear one paper, at least, read, which has a very 
different object in view, and which will tend rather to 
B 
