26 FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY : UNPUBLISHED RECORDS. 
elected an honorary member of the society, expressed the high plea- 
sure it gave him to meet any body of men associated together for the 
discovery and dissemination of truth ; and his gratification was in- 
creased, when they had in view the cultivation and diffusion of 
geological knowledge. The study of geology had been to him, 
through life, the source of much happiness ; and he earnestly recom- 
mended the pursuit of this science, as tending to enlighten and 
enrich the people. He cordially approved of the objects of the 
society, and advised the members to occupy themselves as much as 
possible in the examination of the geological structure of this par- 
ticular district. He expressed his surprise that geology should ever 
have been considered inimical to religion, and concurred with the 
chairman in his sentiments on this subject. He then alluded to the 
deficiencies and inaccuracies of many of our geographical maps, and, 
considering it highly essential that the observations of geologists 
should be faithfully laid down and recorded ; he rejoiced at the co- 
operation of local societies with the British Association in urging 
upon government the desirableness of speedily completing and pub- 
lishing the ordnance surveys. 
A vote of thanks to the chairman having been proposed, Mr, 
Lascelles returned thanks, and again adverted to the necessity of 
observing the geological phenomena in the district with the greatest 
attention ; after which the meeting broke up, and a party of the 
members retired to the Strafford Arms, where a dinner had been 
provided for them, and was of the most sumptuous description. 
Venison, game, and dessert had been liberally sent by Earl Fitzwilliam, 
the president, and Mr. Beaumont. Several speeches were made 
during the evening, amongst others, one by G. B. Greenough, Esq., 
on the utility of museums, an abstract of which will be found in a 
succeeding chapter. 
The fourth quarterly meeting of this Society was held at Wake- 
field, in the Music Saloon, at 12 o'clock on Thursday, December 6th, 
1838. The Rt. Hon. Lord WharnclifTe occupied the chair, and was 
accompanied on the platform by the Hon. J. S. Wortley, Mr. J. C. 
Brandling, ]\Ir. Godfrey Wentworth, the Rev. S. Sharp, ]\Ir. Thomas 
Wilson, Rev. W. Thorp, and others. At this meeting Mr. 
