Scientific Friends. 125 



but this was more than compensated by the atten- 

 tion bestowed upon him by Sir Charles Lyell, Profes- 

 sor Owen, Dr. Grant, and others. He soon found 

 that the major part of the work would devolve upon 

 himself, and that it was a labour of years. Professor 

 Owen desired to dissect some of his alcoholic speci- 

 mens, and Professor Bell, of King's College, expressed 

 an interest in his crustaceans and reptiles ; Professor 

 Broderip offered to undertake the classification of 

 his collection of shells ; Gould proposed to arrange 

 the birds, and Jenyns the fish, — all of which delighted 

 and cheered the young naturalist, whose enthusiasm 

 was so great that it was imparted to those about 

 him. 



The College of Physicians and Surgeons offered 

 to take his fossils, describe and classify them, while 

 during a three months' stay at Cambridge Professor 

 Miller aided him in examining the rocks and minerals. 



Once having his collections disposed of or in good 

 hands, Darwin began work upon his " Journal of 

 Travels," and in March, 1837, moved up to London, 

 taking apartments in Great Marlborough Street. 

 This period was one of constant activity ; he was now " 

 well before the scientific world, and apparently upon 

 the threshold of a distinguished career. His sci- 

 entific friends aided him in every way, especially Sir 

 Charles Lyell, whom Dar\vin found to be extremely 

 sympathetic, and to take a great interest in all that 

 he did. 



He was now proposed as a fellow of the Geo- 

 graphical Society, and a short time after Sir Charles 

 Lyell proposed him as a member of the Royal 



