163 



condescension. Not having been able to read or to think much on Geology since 

 my last, I have little to say upon that subject, but to acknovrledge my obligation for 

 the considerate manner in which you have replied to my remarks upon your letters, 

 and for your notices of the Good old man. Having entered upon my ninetieth 

 year, I have the use of my limbs, and a good appetite, but subject to various 

 infirmities ; that which most interferes with my rest, is a series of fictitious noises 

 in my ears or head, from which I can learn no hopes of relief ; and it may take a 

 long time in wearing me down. We have had severe winter weather lately, and I 

 can get but little out of doors ; on a fine day I am able to walk to the water-side. 



If I mention your proposal to send me a list of fossils, it is only to say that I 

 cannot wish you to take the trouble, as I shall not be able to take advantage of it. 



JONATHAN OTLEY. 



From Professor Sedgwick. 



Cambridge, February 17th, 1855. 

 My dear Friend, — 



Your kind letter has been on my table since Tuesday last, when it first 

 reached me. Allow me to give you joy on having a head as clear, and a hand as 

 firm, as you had in 1823, when I first had the pleasure of seeing you at Keswick. 

 In what you write, and in the manner in which you write, I see no signs of decrepi- 

 tude ; yet you tell me that you have entered on your ninetieth year, and therefore, 

 you are nearly twenty years older than I am ; for, to use a good homely expression 

 of my dear native valley, "I am going in my seventieth year;" and, in a few more 

 weeks, if God spare my life, I shall have completed my journey tliro' this seventieth 

 year. Let us then, my kind and valued old friend, be thankful for the mercies we 

 have had, and in that spirit try to use well that remnant of life which our Maker 

 stiU gives us, in a sure Christian hope that all is not to end here, and that our 

 humble duty will be accepted by Him, not for anything in us, but for the sake of 

 One who has paid our ransom and made us free to count ourselves as God's 

 children. Like yourself, I have found my side deserted by old friends. It 

 must be so to any man who lives to seventy. Of course, you feel this kind of 

 solitude still more than I do. During last year my health was never good ; and I 

 have begun this year very badly on the score of health. My lecture which was to 

 have been given on the 12th, was thus put off to the 26th. But the terrible 

 weather has prevented the restoration of my lungs to a healthy state, so that I 

 last night wrote to the Mayor, and told hiin that I did not look forward, with any 

 hope, to being in a condition to perform my promise with any comfort to myself, 

 or advantage to the Society of Naturalists, by the day I had fixed upon. But, 

 God willing, I hope to come down about the middle of March, and at length to 

 perform my promise, the very thought of which makes me unhappy, now that it is 



