Page:Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, vol. 25.djvu/53

 Peterborough ;" he likewise, at different times, communicated various memoirs on professional subjects to the Medical Society. It must ever be a subject of regret to geologists, as it was to the last to himself, that during the latter years of his life our esteemed associate was prevented by his feeble state of health, combined with his numerous professional and other engagements, from devoting much time to scientific pursuits. His death, which took place at the early age of thirty-six, was hastened by an accident, a fall from his horse, resulting in paralysis, which terminated fatally, August 11, 1868.

Dr. Porter was an assiduous labourer for the benefit of his native town, in which the well-known excellencies of his character gained for him universal respect and goodwill. His brilliant and agreeable qualities were never more conspicuous than when he played the part of a host ; and no one could be better qualified for the authorship of the half-playful, half-serious little work, * Cups and their Customs ,' which was written in 1863, in conjunction with another Fellow of this Society, also deceased, Mr. George E. Roberts. The results of the geological labours of Dr. Porter are not be estimated by his published writings alone ; his extensive and valuable collection was always open to investigators of the geology of the district ; and all who availed themselves of this privilege will remember with sadness his modesty and zeal not less than his geniality and hospitality.

The Rev. Joseph G. Cummins, M.A., F.G.S., Vicar of St. John's, Bethnal Green, was the son of the late Joseph Nottrall Cumming, Esq., of Matlock, where he was born on the 15th February, 1812. Mr. Cumming was educated at Oakham Grammar School ; and an old Oakham school-fellow has written of him: — " He was the very opposite of ' a pickle.' I do not think I ever saw such a grave earnest boy, cheerful, indeed, and eminently good-natured. He was, perhaps, about 14 years old when I first knew him, and we became close companions for at least two years afterwards, when I quitted the school. I do not remember that I ever saw him with a cricket-bat or fishing- rod ; but he was very fond of talking of the wonders of Derbyshire, and presented me with some fossils. He was fond of wrestling, and we frequently walked to a quiet field some half mile from the town, and tugged at each others collars for hours on pretty equal terms."

Mr. Cumming gained exhibitions at Oakham, and proceeded to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he (Senior Opt.* 1834) was ordained in 1835, and took the curacy of his uncle, the Rev. James Cumming, Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge, and Rector of North Nuneton, Norfolk. In 1838 he was appointed Classical Master of the West Riding Proprietary School, and in 1841 Vice Principal of King William's College in the Isle of Man, where he acquired an interest in the history and antiquities of the island that never deserted him, and he contributed very largely to their illustration. Mr. Cumming remained about fifteen years in the Isle of Man, and removed on his appointment to the Mastership of King Edward's


 * See Cambridge Calendar.