256 GEOLOGICAL PAPERS. [l875. 



Thomson's rigidity theory a degree of authority and truth to 

 nature to which, as it seems to me, neither are entitled, and 

 both which, brought forward without expression of doubt, if not 

 of discredit, are likely to exercise a retarding effect on geological 

 true progress. Both seem to me striking examples of what Huxley 

 has so happily styled " putting peas -cods into the mathematical 

 mill and expecting to obtain good wholesome flour." With much 

 esteem, sincerely yours, E. MALLET. 



On the 2nd of February 1875 Prestwich read a 

 paper at the Institution of Civil Engineers, which 

 created almost as lively an interest as his Channel 

 Tunnel paper, the discussions on it occupying portions 

 of three evenings, and in which engineers, geologists, 

 and naval men took part, among the latter his old 

 friend Admiral Spratt, who had been the associate of 

 Edward Forbes in researches in the Mediterranean. 

 It was entitled, " On the Origin of the Chesil Bank, 

 and on the Relation of the existing Beaches to past 

 Geological Changes independent of the present Coast 

 Action." 



It was only on a special occasion such as this that 

 our Professor absented himself from Oxford during 

 term. By the end of it the strain of work, added 

 to many hospitable social engagements, told upon his 

 health, and he was ordered by Dr Acland to the south 

 coast to recruit. After geologising round Eastbourne, 

 at Pevensey and St Leonards, following the same skilled 

 advice, a move was made to Hay ling Island. At that 

 early season there were no visitors, so that Professor 

 and Mrs Prestwich had the hotel at South Hayling 

 all to themselves, and the restful week spent there 

 was ever a most happy reminiscence. The sea air 

 worked like a charm, and as on arrival a glimpse had 

 been had of numerous scattered boulders, there was 



