362 Sir Charles Lyell. 



"Though by nature most sociable and genial, yet Sir Charles often 

 withdrew from society where the object of his life, the pursuit of science, 

 was not promoted ; but when anything interesting turned up he always 

 tried to share his pleasure with all around. Many of us will remem- 

 ber the cheerful and hearty "Look here" — "Have you shown it to so 

 and so ?" — "Capital, capital." 



"The little wayside flower, and, from early happy associations, still 

 more, the passing butterfly, for the moment seemed to engross his 

 every thought. But the grandeur of the sea impressed him most ; he 

 never tired of wandering along the shore, now speaking of the great 

 problems of earth's history, now of the little weed the wave left at his 

 feet. His mmd was like the lens that gathers the great sun into a 

 speck and also magnifies the little grain he could not see before. He 

 loved all nature, great and small. 



"jNIuch we owe to Leonard Horner, himself a good geologist, for 

 having inspired the young Charles Lyell. In after years, when already 

 well known, Charles Lyell chose as his wife the eldest daughter of his 

 teacher and friend. Many have felt the charm of her presence — many 

 have felt the influence of the soul that shone out in her face; but few 

 know how much science directly owes to her. As the companion of 

 his life, sharing his labor, thinking his success her own, Sir Charles 

 had an accomplished linguist who braved with him the dangers and 

 difficulties of travel, no matter how rough ; the ever-ready prompter 

 when memory failed, the constant adviser in all cases of diflnculty. 

 Had she not been part of him she would herself have been better 

 known to fame. The word of encouragement that he wished to give 

 lost none of its warmth when conveyed by her ; the welcome to fellow- 

 workers of foreign lands had a grace added when oflered through her. 

 She was taken from him when the long shadows began to cross his path ; 

 but it wasinot then he needed her most. When in the vigor of unim- 

 paired strength he struggeled amongst the foremost in the fight for 

 truth, then she stood by and handed him his spear or threw forward 

 his shield. He had not her hand to smooth his pillow at the last, but 

 the loving wife was spared the pain of seeing him die. 



"It doubtless occurred to many a one among the crowd who saw him 

 laid to rest among the great in thought and action, that he might have 

 been eminent in many a line beside that he chose. 



"His was a well-balanced judicial mind, which weighed carefully all 

 brought before it, A large type of intellect— too rare not to be missed. 

 But it was well that circumstances did not combine to keep the young 

 laird on his paternal lands among the hills of Forfarshire : it was well 

 for science that he was induced to prefer the c[uieter study of nature to 



