JST. 60-61.] AIX-LES-BAINS. 239 



The last letter which we find addressed to Sir Charles 

 Lye]l is one expressing sympathy on the death of the 

 beloved Lady Lyell. 



J. Prestwich to Sir Charles Lyell. nth May 1873. 



MY DEAR SIR CHARLES, I am very much obliged to you for 

 the copy of the last edition of the ' Antiquity of Man/ which I 

 have not yet had the opportunity of reading, but which I feel 

 sure I shall find well posted up to the day. 



My wife will have already conveyed to you through Mrs Lyell 

 our very sincere sympathy in your sad and unexpected bereave- 

 ment. We both felt and shared greatly in your irreparable loss, 

 a feeling I am sure in which all who knew her must participate, 

 for I believe no one could ever have inspired a more general feel- 

 ing amongst all, of true regard and affection. With our united 

 kind regards and best wishes for your own health, believe me to 

 be sincerely yours, J. PRESTWICH. 



Towards the end of May 1873, Mr and Mrs Prest- 

 wich hurried to Aix-les-Bains, on account of the illness 

 of the youngest sister of the latter, whom happily they 

 found convalescent. The journey was one of interest 

 (which was the case with every journey) : it was, how- 

 ever, with keen pleasure that our geologist recognised 

 the long plateau of Drift Gravel after passing Dijon, 

 and about 40 to 60 feet " or may be less " above the 

 level of the river, planted with vines and extending 

 for several miles. 



Aix was a centre whence the surrounding neighbour- 

 hood was explored, beginning with the hill above it 

 leading to Mouxy. As a matter of course, our geologist 

 was interested in the various weapons, tools, &c. , dredged 

 up from the Lac du Bourget, but much more so in the 

 natural phenomena and features of the district. M. 

 Perrin, libraire at Chambery, accompanied him to its 



