J 825.] Mr. Webster's Reply to Dr. Fltton. 35 



stated) to give it to the world in my own words,* thus setting a 

 noble example of that strict integrity and refined sense of 

 honour which ever distinguishes the true patron. 



Some of the observations which I had then made and reflected 

 on, led me to perceive that I had discovered a freshwater form- 

 ation which had hitherto been unknown to all English geolo- 

 ^•ists: and I afterwards undertook a journey, at my own expence, 

 for the purpose of studying, with all the attention that circum- 

 stances would allow me, a phenomenon so curious and unex- 

 pected. The result of this journey I communicated to the 

 Geological Society, and it may be seen in the second volume of 

 its Transactions, 



Such has been the commencement of my geological pursuits ; 

 and if it had happened that this production became " a standard " 

 for other geologists (an honour never aimed at or imao;ined by 

 me), it would have proved that it was well thought of by my 

 cotemporaries ; but the table which Dr. Fitton has inserted in 

 his paper will show, that ray arrangement was not adopted " as 

 the standard," but that the several geologists who have since 

 visited the Isle of AVight had zeal, industry, and independence 

 enough to look and think for themselves ; and that if, in most 

 cases, their observations agree with mine, it is either because 

 both are right, or that such causes of obscurity existed, that we 

 sometimes fell into the same errors. 



It is well knuwn that since the publication of my letters to 

 Sir Henry Englefield, I have made several visits to the districts 

 there described, for the purpose of examining them still more 

 particularly, thus acquiring the knowledge of many facts that 

 had originally escaped me. Many of these additional observa- 

 tions I have, sometime since, laid before the Geological Society,f 

 and while Dr. Fitton's paper was in the press, I was preparing 

 one which has since been read (see an abstract of it in the 

 Aiinuh for Dec. p. 463) on the same subject. 



The discussion to which Dr. Fitton has alluded in the beo'in- 

 ning of his paper, first made its public appearance in a work 

 entitled "Outlines of the Geology of England and Wales, by 

 the Rev. W. Conybeare, FRS. and MGS.; and W.Phillips, FLS. 

 and MGS." and published in 1822. The passage, which may 



* 'Die work here alkulcd to was published ui 1816, and is entitled " A Description of 

 the principal PictureN(|ue Beauties, Antiejuities, and Geological Phenomena, of the [sle 

 of Wight, by .Sir Henry Englefield, 15art. ; with Additional Observations on the Strata 

 of this Island, and tlicir Continuation in the adjacent Part of Dorsetsliire, by Thomas 

 AVebster, Esq. ; illustrated by JMaps aiul numerous J'ilngravings by W . and O. Coolie, 

 from Original Drawings by J<ir H. Englefield and T. AVebster." 4 to. 

 •j- .See a pajier on the Heigatc Stone, vol. v. Tr^ns. Gcol. Soc. 



on a I'resliwater Eormation at Hordwell, vol. i. ijecond Series, Trans. 



Gcol. .Soc. 

 on the Cliffs at Hastings ; not yet published : but of which an ab- 

 stract appeared in the Jiinah for .July, Irfi.'!. 



J) 2 



