394 FINAL WRITINGS. [l895. 



he writes, 12th August 1895, only three months before 

 his last illness : 



Eeligion and science constitute two distinct branches of human 

 knowledge and inquiry. They move in parallel lines, and cannot, 

 in my opinion, clash. They certainly should not. The one has 

 to deal with moral questions, the other with physical questions. 

 You may have seen that I deal with one of the latter in my 

 ' Tradition of the Flood/ recently published by Messrs Mac- 

 millan & Co. 



Among the last notes in his handwriting is one in 

 which reference is made to his letter of challenge in 

 the ' Geological Magazine ' : 



J. Prestwich to Sir J. Evans. 



DARENT-HULME, SHOREHAM, 2nd Sept. 1895. 



MY DEAR EVANS, It was a pleasure to us to hear of your safe 

 return, and of the delightful round you had had all ground 

 unvisited by me, but of which I have heard much. I suppose 

 you secured a bag of the Saxon coins. I suppose you will be at 

 Ipswich. I have written to Galton to express my regret. 



I hope you approve of my letter. It will put the matter to 

 your followers to the test. You will, I think and hope, have to 

 give up that leadership, unless you do not wish to be left without 

 any disciples at least so I judge from Harrison's gains. This fine 

 weather suits me, but I have had rather a bad time of it of late, 

 and have not been allowed to work. I hope that will not last 

 long. I trust you and Lady Evans are well ; and with love from 

 self and wife, I am, ever sincerely yours, 



JOSEPH PRESTWICH. 



While conscientious in adhering to the rules enjoined 

 by his devoted friend and medical adviser, Dr F. C. 

 Bury, his sanguine and buoyant nature led him con- 

 fidently to look forward to restored health and capac- 

 ity for work. But to one who looked on there was 



