238 GEOLOGY [Chap. IX 



Letter 571 written on the superficial deposits on the south coasts, and 

 I must find out his paper and read it. 



From what I have seen of Mr. Judd's papers I have 

 thought that he would rank amongst the few leading British 

 geologists. 



Letter 572 To J. D. Hooker. 



The following letter was written before Mr. Darwin knew that Sir 

 Charles Lyell was to be buried in Westminster Abbey, a memorial which 

 thoroughly satisfied him. See Life and Letters, III., 197. 



Down, Feb. 23rd, 1875. 

 I have just heard from Miss Buckley of Lyell's death. 

 I have long felt opposed to the present rage for testimonials ; 

 but when I think how Lyell revolutionised Geology, and 

 aided in the progress of so many other branches of science, 

 I wish that something could be done in his honour. On the 

 other hand it seems to me that a poor testimonial would be 

 worse than none ; and testimonials seem to succeed only when 

 a man has been known and loved by many persons, as in the 

 case of Falconer and Forbes. Now, I doubt whether of late 

 years any large number of scientific men did feel much 

 attachment towards Lyell ; but on this head I am very ill 

 fitted to judge. I should like to hear some time what you 

 think, and if anything is proposed I should particularly wish 

 to join in it. We have both lost as good and as true a friend 

 as ever lived. 



Letter 573 To J. D. Hooker. 



This letter shows the difficulty which the inscription for Sir Charles 

 Lyell's memorial gave his friends. The existing inscription is, " Charles 

 Lyell . . . Author of ' The Principles of Geology.' . . . Throughout a long 

 and laborious life he sought the means of deciphering the fragmentary 

 records of the Earth's history in the patient investigation of the present 

 order of Nature, enlarging the boundaries of knowledge, and leaving on 

 Scientific thought an enduring influence. . . ." 



Down, June 21st [1876]. 



I am sorry for you about the inscription, which has almost 



burst me. We think there are too many plurals in yours, 



and when read aloud it hisses like a goose. I think the 



omission of some words makes it much stronger. " World " l 



1 The suggested sentence runs : " he gave to the world the results of 

 his labour, etc' 



