34 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCK LAND. 
[CH. II. 
“ His invariable cheerfulness,” he writes, “ and humour 
threw light over the description of any subject he took 
in hand; and whether describing with his pen or with 
his tongue, the ancient inhabitants of the earth, such was 
the vivid reality of the picture that he drew, that they 
appeared to act and speak before us, so that we may 
fairly designate him the /Esop of extinct animals—alas ! 
himself now extinct ! how can wc hope to sec again in all 
its fulness a second Buckland ? To form a correct notion 
of the powerful manner in which Dr. Buckland influenced 
the progress of Geological Science, it would be necessary, 
not only to pass in review the long series of his geological 
contributions, but also to realise the effect he produced on 
his hearers, and on the University generally, by his lectures. 
It is impossible to convey to the mind of any one who 
had never heard Dr. Buckland speak, the inimitable effect 
of that union of the most playful fancy with the most 
profound reflections which so eminently characterised his 
scientific oratory. To him more than to any geologist 
are we indebted for unexpected suggestions, curious 
inquiries, and novel kinds of evidences.” 
Frank Buckland writes, in his account of the sale 
in January 1857 of his father’s minerals, fossils, etc.: 
“ There was great competition for the hammers; these 
relics are much prized by the possessors, for by means of 
them my father hammered out much information from the 
breast of mother earth.” Mr. Etheridge tells the story of 
Buckland when travelling in Scotland, in order not to 
shock the feelings of the Scotchmen on Sunday, carrying 
his hammer up his sleeve. 
The charm that marked Buckland’s lectures was felt 
also in his character and conversation. When Mr. Ruskin 
was an undergraduate of Christ Church, the Professor of 
Geology was a Canon of the Cathedral. 
