PRESENTATION TO MR. WILLIAM COLE.
127
has. I feel, indeed, in some ways, like a man who has undergone what is
vulgularly called "three months' hard"; but whereas, in ordinary circum-
stances, the man who undergoes that experience has nothing but vain regrets, I
have nothing but pleasant recollections. Personally, I have my reward in the
very ready response this movement has met with. It seems to have received
almost universal approval. Everyone I have approached in the matter has
expressed good wishes and has sent a subscription. I think I have never been
associated with any movement that went with such a "bang," as you may say, from
start to finish. In connection with these matters, it is, as you know, a very
common experience to have to whip round very hard, but nothing of the kind has
been necessary in this case. How ready the response has been is shown by the
fact that no less than 169 ladies and gentlemen have sent subscriptions—
(applause)—and that is, I think, a very remarkable total. Further, I should like
to express to our Chairman of this evening and also to our honorary treasurer,
Mr. David Howard, my personal thanks for the very great assistance they have
rendered in this matter.
So much as to the origin and progress of this movement. Turning to other
matters, I should like to say that I think one of the most satisfactory features
Ave can congratulate ourselves upon in connection with this movement is the
fact that it is not a farewell meeting, as so many such gatherings are. Our hon,
secretary is not retiring from his labours, and we all hope that he will not
retire for a long time.
I have been associated with Mr. Cole during the whole course of the Field
Club's existence, and I know well the labour and the skill and forethought he
has given to its work. In expressing my own appreciation of his work and that
of his brothers and sisters, I should like to emphasize one remark which was
contained in the letter from Professor Ray Lankester which our Chairman read
to you. He said, I think, something to the effect that the whole result of what
Mr. Cole has done is not yet apparent. It is not so much a matter of what we can see
has been accomplished in the past as of what will be accomplished in the future by
what he has done. That work, by attracting young men to study natural science,
and by training them, will, I believe, continue to bear valuable fruit long after we
have celebrated this function. In this we have, I think, the chief value of Mr.
Cole's work.
Mr. T. F. V. Buxton, j.p., High Sheriff' of Essex, said: Professor
Meldola, ladies and gentlemen, I feel it an honour to be asked to say a few
words in support of what has already been said about Mr. Cole and his work.
It seems to me that there is something peculiarly appropriate in our meeting
where we do this evening. This paper that we have before us reminds us that we
may look back not only over the twenty-five years of the Club's existence, but
just a little further still to a great work which Mr. Cole had a hand in carrying
out: I mean the rescue of Epping Forest (Applause). To-night we meet
within the borders of that forest, which is now so great a boon to the public.
I am reminded that the Field Club is not connected with the
forest alone or with this neighbourhood alone, but that it is an Essex
Field Club; and I feel that the County as a whole—not only those who live in
this part of the county —are indebted to Mr. Cole and his brothers and sisters for
the work that they have done in the interests of science and natural history, I
think that a specially-valuable branch of that work has to do with the education
of children. A good deal has been done and a good deal more is likely to be