24 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE ROBERT BALL, LL. D. 
On one of these occasions Professor Edward Eorbes, attired in a 
flowing wig and crimson dressing-gown, delivered a lectnre, replete with 
genuine humour, on a new species of Chimpanzee, represented by Ball 
in a mask or head-piece and dress of bear-skins, prepared by himself, 
and adapted to the purpose. At the end, the Chimpanzee, after flinging 
off his paws and then his hind-feet, leapt among his auditors, and put 
them to flight, amid uproarious merriment. 
Such things as these bear witness to the kindly and social dispo¬ 
sitions of the man. Science guards from decay the smallest particles of 
gold added to her stores: they remain there for future generations; but 
the genial qualities which endear man to his fellows, and make him a 
participator of the happiness of children, belong to the present, not to 
the future, and when their possessor has passed away, live only in the 
memories of those with whom he was associated. 
Much of Dr. Ball’s mental activity was expended in connexion with 
various scientific societies. He acted as local Secretary for Dublin of 
the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and the Bay Society, London. It 
was, however, in those properly belonging to Dublin that he was most 
valued, for there the respect which attached to his moral and social qua¬ 
lities made him a useful and influential member, irrespective of the 
special range of subjects for which a society had been founded. To this 
Professor Oldham alludes in a note addressed to myself. It was written 
after the Dublin Meeting of the Association in 1857, in reply to a re¬ 
quest that he would favour me with some recollections of our mutual 
friend as connected with the Geological Society of Dublin:— 
“ I need not say to you how completely Ball’s aid and help were 
felt here in the little every- day and every-hour intercourse of men mu¬ 
tually engaged in the same great object, rather than in any larger effort 
of his. Of his value as a friend, of his sincerity as an adviser, of his 
eartnestness as a helper, of his conscientious uprightness as a workman, 
I need not say a syllable. These are all better known to yourself than 
to me, though not more highly appreciated.” 
The following are the notes for which I am indebted to the kindness 
of Professor Oldham. I rejoice that his brief visit to these countries 
permitted the application to be made to him; and I hope that when 
these pages meet his eye, under the scorching heat of an Indian sun, he 
may be assured that many a heart will respond to what he has written, 
and thank him for it. 
“ Bobert Ball was an early member of the Geological Society of Dub¬ 
lin, having joined its ranks in 1835, about two years after its first 
formation. From that time until his death he continued uninterruptedly 
connected with the Society, and was an active and zealous member. In 
1837 he was elected a member of Council, on which he continued to serve 
for years. In 1843 he passed into the rank of Yice-President of the 
Society, and in 1852 he became President. He was throughout a steady 
and active supporter of the Society, and one of the most regular attend¬ 
ants at its meetings. He was a useful aid in obtaining for the Society 
the use of the rooms which for many years it occupied in the Custom- 
