SIR CHARLES LYELL, BART. 177 



rendered more so by a family bereavement which 

 occurred only a fortnight before in the sudden death 

 of his brother, Colonel Lyell, who had been almost 

 daily with Sir Charles for a considerable period prior 

 to his own unexpected and fatal illness. 



Dr. Hooker, President of the Royal Society (after- 

 wards Sir Joseph Hooker, C.B.), wrote to his sister, 

 Miss Lyell, on the day of his death : — 



" I have just heard the distressing news, and can 

 haidly yet say how much I feel it. My loved, my best 

 friend, for well nigh forty years of my life. To me 

 the blank is fearful, for it never will, never can, be 

 filled up. The most generous sharer of my own and 

 my family's hopes, joys, and sorrows, whose affection 

 for me was truly that of a father and brother combined. 

 I feel deeply for you all ; two such blows to you and 

 your sisters, and to Mrs. Lyell (his sister-in-law) surely 

 hardly ever came so rapidly, so remorselessly, as it 

 were. 



" I have just headed a memorial to Dean Stanley, 

 praying that he may be interred in Westminster Abbey, 

 the Dean having volunteered his hearty assent, and 

 every influence in his power to have it granted. Sir 

 Edward Ryan first told me of it, and now joins with 

 me in the earnest hope that you will allow this tribute 

 to be paid to the most philosophical and influential 

 geologist that ever lived, and one of the very best of 



men." 



The following is the memorial referred to, and in 

 pursuance of which the body of Sir Charles Lyell was 

 placed in Westminster Abbey : — 



N 



