RECORDS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 
Parts.] 1876. [May. 
The Retirement oe Dr. Oldham. 
This number of our Records would be sadly wanting without a word of grateful 
farewell to the man who has conducted the labours of the Geological Survey of India 
from their beginning until now. When Mr. Oldham came to India in 1851, the Geological 
Survey cannot be said to have existed. Some coal-viewers and improvised geologists had 
made occasional reports to Government, but there was nothing that could be called an 
institution, either as to staff or abiding-place. Professor Oldham conferred at once upon 
his post the influence of a well-known name, and the experience he had for years acquired 
as Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland. With those guarantees, by personal 
address and energy, he quickly acquired the confidence of Government, and by its liberal 
support he was able rapidly to bring together an efficient body of working geologists, with 
and through whom he soon began to throw light upon the rocks of India. Of the value 
of his services, as exhibited in the publications of the Survey, Dr. Oldham has repeatedly 
received very high testimony from the scientific world. To appreciate fully what he has 
effected, one should have experience of the position, where every means, material and 
personal, had to be formed or imported; and further, one should see what is only known 
to those present, the very valuable library and the extensive collections brought together 
by his care. Due honour paid to the intelligent liberality of the Government of India, 
it is to Dr. Oldham, whether as Superintendent of the Geological Survey, or as President 
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, more than to any other man, that Calcutta owes the 
magnificent museum-building it can now boast of. All this he now leaves to his colleagues 
and successors. Failing health compels him to retire from the service, and leave the country 
before he could give form and unity to his labours. Those who reap where he has sown 
should ever remember the great debt they owe to Dr. Oldham. 
