196 MISCELLANEA. [1875. 



which took place on February 22nd, 1875, in his seventy- 

 eighth year.] 



C. Darwin to Miss Buckley (now Mrs. Fisher)* 



Down, February 23, 1875. 



My dear Miss Buckley, — I am grieved to hear of the 

 death of my old and kind friend, though I knew that it could 

 not be long delayed, and that it was a happy thing that his 

 life should not have been prolonged, as I suppose that his 

 mind would inevitably have suffered. I am glad that Lady 

 Lyell f has been saved this terrible blow. His death makes 

 me think of the time when I first saw him, and how full of 

 sympathy and interest he was about what I could tell him of 

 coral reefs and South America. I think that this sympathy 

 with the work of every other naturalist was one of the finest- 

 features of his character. How completely he revolutionised 

 Geology : for I can remember something of pre-Lyellian days. 



I never forget that almost everything which I have done in 

 science I owe to the study of his great works. Well, he has 

 had a grand and happy career, and no one ever worked with a 

 truer zeal in a noble cause. It seems strange to me that I 

 shall never again sit with him and Lady Lyell at their break- 

 fast. I am very much obliged to you for having so kindly 

 written to me. 



Pray give our kindest remembrances to Miss Lyell, and I 

 hope that she has not suffered much in health, from fatigue 

 and anxiety. 



Believe me, my dear Miss Buckley, 



Yours very sincerely, 



Charles Darwin. 



* Mrs. Fisher acted as Secretary f Lad Y L Y e11 die( l in l8 73- 



to Sir Charles Lyell. 



