388 NATURE AND ART. [l895. 



superior, but superior in a mode indicating nearer resemblance to 

 the primitive record, which may be unknown to us. One is that 

 it is absolutely monotheistic, and the other is its representation 

 of the Deluge as a judgment for sin. If, as some critics tell us, 

 the Biblical text is not simple, but compounded of two separate 

 narratives, this is all the more remarkable. Viewed severally 

 and with regard to the education or evolution of man, the Chal- 

 dean record naturally exhibits the inferiority belonging to a state 

 of opinion debased by the innovations of polytheism. Believe 

 me, my dear sir, very faithfully yours, W. E. GLADSTONE. 



J. Prestwidi to Sir J. Evans. 



DARENT-HULME, SHOREHAM, 6th July 1895. 



MY DEAR EVANS, Your suggestion that some of the plateau 

 implements might have been formed by sea l action had become 

 so widely accepted by many geologists and by most anthropol- 

 ogists the latter of whom have probably never been in a gravel - 

 pit in their lives that I have been moved to write a letter to the 

 ' Geological Magazine ' expressing my dissent. It is in general 

 terms, and your name in the matter is not mentioned. I can 

 send you a proof before its publication in August if you should 

 wish, for any suggestions. We both continue fairly well, although 

 I had a bad turn ten days ago, which has obliged me to keep 

 much to the sofa. What a loss the world of science has experi- 

 enced in the death of Huxley ! I had known him ever since his 

 return from his voyage. It is a strange memorial that has been 

 suggested. I hope there will be a better one. . . . I am, 

 ever sincerely yours, JOSEPH PEESTWICH. 



The letter to which reference is made was addressed 

 to the Editor of the ' Geological Magazine,' being headed 

 " Nature and Art," and was published in the August 

 number. A pathetic interest attaches to it, since it 



1 Sir John Evans says that the use of the word " sea " in this letter was a 

 mistake. Though he attributes the chipping and bruising of the edges of 

 the flints in question to the turbulent action of water, he never invoked 

 marine action. 



