192 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



FROM DR. MANTELL. 



BRIGHTON, January 18, 1834. 



THE heading of this letter will, I feel assured, be at 

 once an apology for my not having earlier acknowledged 

 your very kind, most acceptable, and delightful letter, and 

 still more the safe arrival of the invaluable present which it 

 announced the departure of. This to me most precious, even 

 of all your gifts, I received in London from the hands of 

 Mr. Rich, and it arrived here in safety, three weeks ago, in 

 time to occupy a conspicuous place in my drawing-room, 

 among the portraits of my family and friends ; it is placed 

 immediately over my friend Lyell's picture. It really does 

 great credit to your young artist, for the execution is very 

 good, and pray tell him that it is very much admired ; and in 

 this bustling place, it is seen by no small number of persons. 

 Let me beg, my dear sir, that you will accept not only of 

 my thanks, but also of those of Mrs. Mantell, and all my 

 family, for this delightful addition to our circle. Rogers has 

 beautifully reminded us that there is an eternity even in this 

 world, the power of living in the memories of those who 

 come after us, and by whom our names and our characters 

 will be respected. I would add, there is even given to us 

 in this world our degree of omnipresence, by which we 

 enjoy the privilege of communing with those kindred minds 

 who are forever separated from us, but in whose recol- 

 Icetions we are present, and in a manner more pleasing 

 and delightful than perhaps even by personal intercourse. 

 The Cambridge meeting passed off admirably, as you will 

 ere this have seen by the book I send you containing 

 the autographs and account of the proceedings, but \ 

 did not go to Stratford, but accompanied the Marquis of 

 Northampton to his seat, Castle Ashley, (Northampton 

 shire,) where Dr. and Mrs. Buckland joined us, and Mr. 

 and Mrs. Murchison; so that we had a most charming 

 party ; and I very much enjoyed myself. I accompanied 



