266 DEATH OF HIS BROTHER. [1876-77. 



Our Professor had wanted to see what was the capping 

 of that impossible hill. 



As he was advised to keep away from Darent-Hulme 

 in winter, so that he should not have the temptation to 

 stand about transplanting trees, a week of the Christ- 

 mas vacation was generally spent at Eastbourne for 

 several successive years, and the remainder with his 

 wife's family at Park Crescent, where he was within 

 reach of many old friends. 



In the early spring of 1876 another break was made 

 in the family circle by the death, after a brief illness, of 

 Edward Prestwich, the only brother of our geologist. 

 He had returned from India a few years before in 

 shattered health. It was sad that the telegram which 

 arrived at Oxford announcing his alarming illness came 

 too late for his brother (who hurried to town) to find 

 him in life. 



A short Easter trip with Mr Waringtoii Smyth to 

 the Boulonnais, where they were joined by Mr J. Evans, 

 was very enjoyable and of much geological interest. 

 Extracts from two letters show how vigorously their 

 work was prosecuted : 



To his Wife. BOULOGNE, April 2Brd, 7 A.M. 



We returned late last night, and to my regret I missed the 

 post I therefore write a few lines this morning, knowing not 

 where we may find rest for letter- writing before night, or where 

 we may sleep. We had a beautiful summer's morning yesterday, 

 and drove by Le Wast to Hardinghen, where we met Gosselet 

 and his class. After visiting the coal-pits, we proceeded to Haut 

 Baur and Ferques. There we were caught at about 4 in a most 

 violent thunderstorm, so that we had to shut up and drive back 

 in all haste to Marquise, where we left Gosselet and afterwards 

 returned to Boulogne, none the worse for the storm, but the 

 delay and loss of sections. 



