182 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCKLAND . 
[CH. VII. 
small fragment of the thigh which was then the only bone 
of the creature in Europe. The description in every 
particular was confirmed by the arrival of Mr. Williams’ 
specimens. 
In all projects which could promote the spread of 
scientific and technical knowledge, especially of subjects 
connected with his favourite studies, Buckland took a 
prominent part. The foundation of the School of Mines 
in Jermyn Street was largely due to his efforts. 1 * * * 
Mr., now Sir B. W., Richardson, in his book of extracts 
from Mr. Sopwith’s Journal, mentions that on June 8th, 
1837, “Two events of importance took place: one a visit 
to the famous Dr. Buckland, father of the late Frank 
Buckland, at Oxford; and a second, the projection of a 
School of Mines, arising, as it seems, out of that visit.” 
“In the breakfast-room,” Mr. Sopwith says, “Dr. Buckland 
introduced me to Mrs. Buckland and to Dr. Davies Gilbert. 
Dr. Buckland said that he had been applied to to recom¬ 
mend some one as a proper person to undertake the office 
of Mining Commissioner on the part of the Free Miners. 
‘ I told them,’ said the Doctor, ‘ that they must have nothing 
short of Newcastle, and I named Mr. Buddie and yourself. 5 
I sat next to Dr. Gilbert, and had with him and Dr. Buckland 
a conversation on the subject of a School of Mines. Dr. 
Gilbert said that great advantages had been derived from 
the institution of a Polytechnic School in Cornwall, of 
which he has been an active promoter. Before leaving, 
1 At the suggestion of Sir Roderick Murchison, and at the generous 
expense of many of the most eminent scientific men of England, a bust 
of Buckland was placed on December 2nd, i860, in the Geological 
Walhalla of the Jermyn Street Museum, in company with the busts of 
Sir H. de la Beche, Professor E. Forbes, Greenhough, Playfair, Smith, 
Hutton, and Sir James Hall. 
