218 
CHAPTER X. 
REV. W. THORP, B.A. — AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY, ETC. 
The Rev. William Thorp was one of the founders of this Society, 
and until his death in 18()0 took the liveliest interest in its proceed- 
ings. His name occurs so frequently in the pages of this work and 
in the proceedings of the Society that it is unnecessary to say more 
as to his scientific and literary lahoiirs. He was a member of the 
Council from the first, and on the retirement of Mr. Clay from the 
office of honorary secretary and treasurer in the year 1844, ^Ir. 
Thoi-p was unanimously requested to occupy the position, which he 
did, and discharged the responsible duties attached to them for a 
period covering ten years. From the year 1845, when Mr. Henry 
Denu}' was appointed his Assistant Secretary, he received that gentle- 
man's able assistance ; and the Society, especially during the earlier 
years of the decade, was in a most flourishing condition. 
Mr. Thorp, at the time this Society was formed, was Vicar of 
Womersley. He was afterwards presented to the Vicarage of Misson 
by the late Earl Fitzwilliam. Notwithstanding the most persistent 
and long-continued efforts to obtain some worthy account of the life 
of the reverend and learned gentleman, the result has not been com- 
mensurate with the desire naturally entertained to place on record a 
notice worthy of the important position ^Ir. Thorp occupied in the 
Society. The following letters therefore are very valuable, and the 
Society is indebted to the gentlemen who have furnished them. 
Hatfield Hall, Wakefield, Sept. 9th, 188S. 
My Dear Sir, 
I knew the Rev. W, Thorp very well, he was Vicar of Womersley, 
which was in the gift of Lord Hawke, for a number of years. He 
