152 
DAVIS : UTiUll EDWI>: .STKK'KLA2sD, T.K.S., ETC. 
a more real and vital interest in its proceedings was taken than had 
perhaps previously been the case. Shortly after the meeting, Dr. Buck- 
land first exhibited signs of that mental decay which, during the 
latter period of his life, rendered it impossible that he should con- 
tinue to occupy the position of Professor of Geology in Oxford, and 
after some time had elapsed and Dr. Buckland was unable to continue 
his lectures, it became a matter for consideration as to who should 
be appointed to fulfil the oliice. Dr. Daubeny, who was consulted 
upon the matter, suggested that either Lyell or Strickland was best 
({ualified to occupy the chair, and eventually Strickland w^as elected, 
and accepted the appointment. At the same time Mr. Storey 
]\[askelyne was placed in the ^^lineralogical chair. Dr. Buckland's 
versatilit}" and knowledge had rendered geology popular at the 
University, and possibly still more so in the country. He worked at 
the subject with his whole heart, and explained many of those 
points which were beginniug to render it unpopular by the supposed 
discordance with tlie records of the Bible. But his gifts had done 
little at this time to change the University prejudices in favour of 
classics and mathematics, and he could only induce a few men to join 
his pursuits and attend his lectures. On Strickland's acceptance of 
the position of Reader of Geology he immediately devoted himself to 
the preparation of his course of lectures, and delivered an opening 
address on the studies of the University of Oxford. The succeeding 
lectures of the first course were on the chronology of the ancient 
earth, and were introductory to the general subject to be treated 
upon in future lectures. His second course in the year 1851 was on 
volcanic phenomena, the elevation of mountains, and other disturb- 
ances affecting the earth's crust, the principles of geology, and the 
earlier stratified deposits, followed by a third on the succession of the 
secondary and tertiary formations. The wdiole course would have 
been completed, had he not met with a premature death, by the 
history of the tertiary and recent epochs. His lectures were illustrated 
by numerous diagrams, in many cases prepared by his wife, who was 
an excellent draughtswoman. Strickland was always ready to com- 
municate information, and frequently lectured for different institu- 
tions. The Tewkesbury Mechanics' Institution, the Natural History 
