252 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON’S ADDRESS. [May 24, 1858. 
preparation for tlie press of liis later journals, wliicli experience 
and matured observation had rendered more valuable than any of 
his former records of travel. The whole of these, and a large mass 
of miscellaneous papers, are in the hands of his friends, and it 
is to be hoped they will be given to the public, accompanied by 
an adequate biography of this remarkable man. The character 
of Lieut. Holman was eminently calculated to command respect and 
conciliate attachment. Patient, gentle, and firm, he was beloved 
by his friends, and won the confidence and regard of the numerous 
and varied circles by which he was at different times surrounded. 
Mr. Joseph Kavenscroft Elsey, who died in January last in the 
West Indies at the early age of twenty-four, had already distin- 
guished himself as a naturalist and explorer, as recorded in our 
J ournal. 
Educated at the London University and College of Chemistry, 
and passing at the Eoyal College of Surgeons, he was appointed as 
surgeon and naturalist to the North Australian Expedition, under 
our Medallist, Mr. A. C. Gregory. The zealous and efficient 
manner in which he fulfilled the arduous duties attached to his 
post, during twenty months of toilsome travel, won for him the 
high praises of his commander, and the friendship and admiration 
of his associates. On his return to England he communicated a 
paper to this Society on North Australia, and was soon after offered 
the appointment of Government surgeon at Seychelles, which he 
however declined, preferring to go to the West Indies, with a view 
to the collection of natural history specimens. He had scarcely 
been six weeks at his post when he was attacked with what at 
first appeared a slight illness, but which soon terminated fatally; 
and there is too much reason to believe that his untimely end was 
attributable in great measure to over-fatigue and privation when 
engaged in the North Australian Expedition. 
The late Earl Spencer, k.g., was born at the Admiralty, Whitehall, 
his father having for many years presided over that department of 
the Government. He adopted the Navy as his profession, entering 
that service in 1811, a few months before he attained his fourteenth 
year. In September, 1825, he was appointed to the command of 
the Talbot , 28. While in that ship he served in the Mediter- 
ranean, under the late Admiral Sir Edward Codrington, in which 
he fought with distinction at the battle of Navarino, was pre- 
sent at the capitulation of Patras, and assisted at the reduction of 
the Morea Castle. For his conduct at the battle of Navarino the 
