1892-93.] Chairmans Opening Address. B 
At the last meeting of the Association, Sir Archibald Geikie, in 
his presidential address, regarding the present year as the centenary 
of the publication of Hutton’s “ Theory of the Earth,” did justice to 
the author of that theory, who was one of the most remarkable men 
that have ever been members of this Society. That theory was 
originally published in the Transactions of this Society (vol. i.), 
and placed the science of Geology on a new and sure basis. Pro- 
fessor Playfair says in his “ Life of Hutton,” contributed to the 
fifth volume of our Transactions, “The institution of the Royal 
Society of Edinburgh had the good effect of calling forth from Dr 
Hutton the first sketch of a ‘ Theory of the Earth,’ the formation 
of which had been the great object of his life. . . Several years 
before the time I am now speaking of, he had completed the great 
outline of his system, but had communicated it to very few ; I 
believe to none but his friends Dr Black and Mr Clerk of Eldin. . . 
Yet he was in no haste to publish his theory ; for he was one of 
those who are much more delighted with the contemplation of truth, 
than with the praise of having discovered it. It might, therefore, 
have been a long time before he had given anything on the subject 
to the public had not his zeal for supporting a recent institution 
(the then newly founded Royal Society of Edinburgh), which he 
thought of importance to the progress of science in his own country, 
induced him to come forward, and to communicate to the Royal 
Society a concise account of his theory of the earth.” 
I cannot pass from the brief notice just given of this great philo- 
sopher without citing what was recently said of him by Sir 
Archibald Geikie, who thus refers to him : “ Hutton died in 
1797. . . Men knew not then that a great master had passed away 
from their midst, who had laid broad and deep the foundations of a 
new science; that his name would become a household word in 
after geilerations, and that pilgrims would come from distant lands 
to visit the scenes from which he drew his inspiration.” Hutton’s 
disciple. Professor Playfair, our former secretary, after long converse 
with the master, and five years of study, produced his Illustrations 
of the Huttonian Theory. This work, says Sir Archibald Geikie, 
“for luminous treatment and graceful diction stands still without 
a rival in English geological literature.” 
The mantle of Hutton fell upon a younger contemporary, our 
