1848 VIEWS OF DE LA EEC HE 141 



able. He was very kind and confidential, speaking in 

 the strongest manner about his wish that I should 

 succeed him, and recommending me to write some 

 good memoir speedily for our work, to strengthen my 

 case. " It is not Phillips," he said, "nor any other 

 man on the Survey you have to fear, but such as 

 Murchison and Lyell, who would make an effort. 

 Lyell has so often of late asked me how I did this and 

 that, that I begin to be suspicious." He further said 

 he would try to get an increase of pay for me, and that 

 independently of Oldham, on the ground of my larger 

 charge. I said I would fain see the others with 

 larger pay. He replied, "You must have it first." 



How cordial the relations were between the chief 

 and his lieutenant may be gathered from two notes of 

 De la Beche of this period : 



LONDON, i8M November 1848. 



MY DEAR RAMSAY It is refreshing and a comfort to get 

 letters from your honest self, instead of some that I do receive, 

 and from those whom I have laboured to benefit. I even got one 

 three or four days since, containing a passage which looked marvel- 

 lous like a charge of impeding your fair fame. At least, I cannot 

 make anything else of it. But, mind you, this is strictly between 

 ourselves. 



You give a capital account of yourself and your rocky parlia- 

 ments, making me long to be climbing the hills instead of wending 

 amid sooty streets. However, I believe I am usefully here for the 

 good cause; for the new building is getting on famously, and, 

 among other things, the lecture-room has turned out famously as to 

 light, sound, and accommodation-space. Ever sincerely, 



H. T. DE LA BECHE. 



LONDON, 'jtk December 1848. 



MY DEAR RAMSAY Yours rejoiceth the cockles of my heart. 

 Those great ' DONES ' of yours were right welcome, as is also the 

 intelligence that you will be shortly up here. I have much to con- 

 sult my geological son about fossil proceedings, etc. etc. . . . 

 Ever sincerely, H. T. DE LA BECHE. 



