28 *LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



dissertation was, I believe, the chemist. I attended two 

 meetings of the Geological Society in London, some ac 

 count of which I gave in a letter to my family, with a direc 

 tion to have it read to you ; so that it is unnecessary to 

 repeat what you have already heard. I was struck with the 

 business character of these meetings. The members ap 

 peared to be all interested in what was read or spoken. 

 They canvassed each other's opinions with freedom, but 

 with entire civility. I was much pleased with your old 

 friend and correspondent, Dr. Mantell. He is very gentle 

 manly in his appearance and manners, has no stiffness 

 or formality, and is easy of access. He has a beautiful 

 residence in Chester Square, Pimlico. Among the articles 

 which I saw in his house,- and I suppose I entered almost 

 every room, I was not a little amused to see his Diploma 

 of Doctor of Laws, in a handsome frame, suspended in his 

 parlor. This important instrument, you may recollect, I 

 made out and wrote myself, and I was at first a little start 

 led to see my fair hand advanced to such honor. I can 

 give you some more particulars of the Doctor when we 

 meet. Mr. Lyell, as you probably know, is to lecture again 

 this winter in Boston. He and Mrs. Lyell go to America 

 in the steamer from Liverpool, the 4th of next month. I 

 called on Mr. Lyell yesterday ; but he was out. I saw his 

 wife, however, who appeared pleased with the prospect of 

 another visit to the United States. She said that after the 

 lectures, she and her husband would probably visit New 

 Haven. They are intending to go South as far as New 

 Orleans. She had got the impression that your journey, or 

 some part of it, to that city, was unpleasant ; but I told her 

 that I had heard nothing of the kind. I notice your men 

 tion of having your children and grandchildren about you 

 this summer. This must have been to you and Mrs. S., a 

 source of much enjoyment. We have it on high authority, 

 that children are " as arrows in the hand of a mighty man," 

 and that " happy is the man that hath his quiver full of 



