JET. 66.] EASTBOURNE. 293 



It proved to be an attack of sciatica in its acute 

 form, and Prestwich was compelled to instruct his wife 

 to write to Paris to explain his inability to be present 

 at any of the International Geological or Anthropo- 

 logical Congresses, as notice had been given of his 

 intention to be there. In the official reply which she 

 received from M. Gaudry, a member of the Institute, 

 occur these words, " Nous aurions ete heureux de voir 

 parmi nous Mr Prestwich, qui est un de nos maitres les 

 plus illustres." 



His spirit was indomitable. Only two months had 

 elapsed since he had been struck down by illness at St 

 David's, and yet he had planned to return there this 

 same year to complete his unfinished work ! Early in 

 October he had, however, so far recovered that, con- 

 trary to the expectation of his two doctors, he was 

 able to go to Eastbourne for change. One day was 

 spent in taking stock of what interested him in the 

 Museum ; but his delight with return of health was 

 to be out of doors, and, the season being fine, his 

 time was devoted to drives (not without geologising) 

 along the familiar coast. As his observations were 

 made under (for him) luxurious conditions, this visit 

 to Mr and Mrs Russell Scott was inspiriting and health - 

 giving. Sections of Birling Gap cover several pages 

 of a note-book ; and as Mr Godwin- Austen chanced to 

 be at Eastbourne at the time, the two old friends were 

 able to go together to several sections. 



J. Prestwich to J. Evans. OXFORD, 23rd October 1878. 



MY DEAR EVANS, I received the enclosed in London, but my 

 doctor here will not hear of my geologising at present. I have 

 written accordingly to M. Prarond asking how long the section 



