J 66 LIFE OF DEAN BUCK LAND. [ch. vi. 
Arkwright, Mr. Philip Pusey, Professor Owen, Sir H. de 
la Beche, etc., suggest the abundance of the stream of wit 
and knowledge that must have passed from mind to mind 
under the worthy presidency of Sir Robert himself. It 
was at one of these meetings that the following incident, 
which is recorded in Smiles’s “ Life of George Stephenson,” 
took place :— 
“ On one occasion, an animated discussion took place 
between Mr. Stephenson and Dr. Buckland on one of the 
great engineer’s favourite theories as to the formation of 
coal. The result was, that Dr. Buckland, a much greater 
master of. tongue-fence than Stephenson, completely 
silenced him. Next morning before breakfast, when 
Stephenson was walking in the grounds, deeply pondering, 
Sir William Follett came up, and asked him what he 
was thinking about ?—‘ Why, Sir William, I am thinking 
over that argument I had with Buckland last night. I 
know I am right, and if I had only the command of words 
which he has I’d have beaten him.’ ‘Let me know all 
aboiit it,’ said Sir William ; ‘and I’ll see what I can do for 
you. The two sat down in an arbour, where the astute 
lawyer made himself thoroughly acquainted with the 
points of the case ; entering into it with all the zeal of an 
advocate about to plead the dearest interests of his client. 
After he had mastered the subject, Sir William rose up, 
rubbing his hands with glee, and said, 1 Now I’m ready for 
him. Sir Robert Peel was made acquainted with the 
plot, and adroitly introduced the subject of the controversy 
after dinner. The result was that, in the argument which 
followed, the man of science was overcome by the man of 
the law ; and Sir William Follett had, at all points, the 
mastery over Dr. Buckland. ‘ What do you say, Mr. 
Stephenson ? ’ asked Sir Robert, laughing. ‘ Why,’ said he^ 
‘ 1 will only say this, that of all the powers above and 
under the earth, there seems to me to be no power so 
great as the gift of the gab.’” 
