18 
THE ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 
microscopic work and workmanship that he must not pass unnoticed. His 
father was partner in the firm of Lister and Beck, wine merchants. Richard 
was sent to school where he did not flourish, books not being the groove in 
which his talents ran. Mechanics were his early literature, and his parents 
most judiciously allowed him to have his bent; hence Richard Beck did not add 
one more to the overburdened catalogue of talent wasted because twisted out 
of its natural direction. 
At this time (1841) the manufacture of the microscope seemed a^desirable 
commercial undertaking, accordingly arrangements were made that Richard 
should learn the business for three years under James Smith, 44 an excellent 
workman engaged in carrying out the views of Mr. Joseph Lister and other 
distinguished members of this Society.” His forerunners in the field were Mr. 
Pritchard, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Ross, the names of the two latter having be¬ 
come household words : still there was ample room both in a commercial and 
scientific sense, and ultimately through the skill and exertions of Richard Beck, 
the firm of Smith and Beck obtained an honourable position and took its full 
share in maintaining the celebrity of English manufacture as well as in aiding 
in the attainment of that perfection of the instrument which has been such a 
constant source of admiration. To Beck are owing many important improve¬ 
ments in the mechanical stage and in methods of illumination, and prompt 
realization of Wenham’s arrangement for binocular vision—and not only was 
he most happy in devising apparatus for special investigations but he was him¬ 
self a careful and accurate observer. Students unable to purchase the more 
expensive forms of instrument will be grateful to him for his u Educational 
Microscope,” the “Universal Microscope,” and the “Popular Microscope,” 
while his treatise on 44 Construction, Proper Use, and Capabilities of the Mi¬ 
croscope,” may be consulted with great advantage. The frontispiece represents 
the Podura scale as seen with powers from 80 to 1300, presenting those appear¬ 
ances which are accepted as tests of the true correction of objectives and me¬ 
thods of illumination. Beck died at the early age of thirty-nine. The Society 
has shared with the world of Science the loss of Faraday. Robert Warington 
must also be numbered among late illustrious Fellows. 
I must hasten now to the present standing of the Society—for some years 
the state of the Cabinet, that is the collection of Microscopic slides was a stock 
subject of condolence in a President’s address—indeed on one occasion it was 
recommended either to take energetic measures to make it worthy of the original 
design or to let it be abandoned. The tide turned at last: Professor Smith of 
Kenyon College, U.S., presented 146 slides of Diatomacese, 86 other slides were 
also given. Dr. G. C. Wallicb, F.L.S., with a liberality beyond praise contri¬ 
buted his first instalment of 1031 slides. 44 Lest any misgiving (wrote the Doctor 
to the Treasurer) may exist or arise on the subject, I think it as well to put 
on record, in order that you may make whatever use you like of the information, 
that I submit the offer of my collection, drawings, etc., to the Society hampered 
by no condition or reservation whatever.” The whole of these slides will be 
classified, annotated and explained by the donor. This good example has been 
followed by Joseph Beck who has presented a cabinet containing 426 beautiful 
sections of Teeth. The cabinet of objects now contains 2674 specimens ; they 
are being entirely re-arranged, placed horizontally instead of vertically as here¬ 
tofore ; a new classification is about to be adopted which will necessitate the 
compilation of a fresh catalogue. 
Pains have been taken not to encumber this account with abstracts of scien¬ 
tific papers—these demand great care and thought and must be studied in ex- 
tenso ; yet it would be an omission not to notice tlnj remarkable communication 
of Professor Lionel Beale on Nutrition, controverting opinions expressed by 
certain writers on Biological subjects concerning so-called 44 Vital Action Pro- 
