The British Association and Mr Thomas Bolton

Our readers will be interested to hear that at the meeting of the British Association, recently held in this town, a movement was originated in the committee of Section D (Biology) having for its object an application to Government for a small grant out of the Civil List to Mr. Thomas Bolton, of 57, Newhall Street, Birmingham (formerly of Kinver, Staffordshire), whose important services to science as a naturalist and microscopist, have long been well known and appreciated by professors and teachers of biology, not only locally but in every part of the United Kingdom. A memorial setting forth Mr. Bolton's claims was prepared by Mr. W. R. Hughes, late president of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, and was signed by Sir J. W. Dawson, the president of the British Association, and by a large number of eminent men of science. It also received the signature of the Mayor of Birmingham. The memorial was recently presented to Lord Salisbury as First Lord of the Treasury, and the following communication has just been received by Mr. Hughes from his lordship:—"10, Downing Street, Whitehall, December 18, 1856. Dear sir,—Lord Salisbury has given his careful consideration to the memorial which you have placed before him on behalf of Mr. Thomas Bolton, and the representations of the numerous men of science by whom the memorial was supported, and his Lordship desires me to say that he has had pleasure in recommending to her Majesty that a Civil List pension of £50. per annum should be conferred upon Mr. Bolton. Lord Salisbury has received the sanction of the Queen to this award, and steps will be taken to carry it into effect. The pension will commence as from the 1st July last. I am, dear, sir, yours faithfully (signed) J. F. Daly, W. R. Hughes, Esq."—The numerous body of microscopists and others interested in natural science who have derived benefit from Mr. Bolton’s useful researches in connection with minute animal life, and especially with the "microscopic fauna" of this district, will be gratified by this prompt and substantial recognition of Mr .Bolton's merits. Amongst those who signed the memorial were:—Professor Michael Foster, Cambridge, secretary of the Royal Society; Sir John Lubbock, F.R.S.; William Carruthers, Esq., F.R.S., president of Section of Biology at meeting of British Association; Professor Ray Lankester, F.R.S., London; Professor Moseley, F.R.S., Oxford; Professor Milnes Marshall, F.R.S., Manchester; Professor Allman, F.R.S.; and the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., president of the Royal Microscopical Society. The memorial was also supported by Sir James Sawyer, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Queen's College, Birmingham; Professor Tilden, as president of the Birmingham Philosophical Society; Professors Bridge, Hillhouse, and Haycraft, of Mason College; and by Mr. R. W. Chase, president of the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.