1 84 The Founders of Geology LECT. 



his theory in all its bearings. Their approval was ample 

 enough for his ambition. He was never tempted to court 

 publicity by frequent communications to learned societies, 

 or the issue of independent works treating of his geo- 

 logical observations and discoveries. But for the establish- 

 ment of the Eoyal Society of Edinburgh, he might have 

 delayed for years the preparation of the first sketch of his 

 theory, and had it not been for the virulent attacks of 

 Kirwan, he might never have been induced to finish the 

 preparation of his great work. He was a man absorbed 

 in the investigation of nature, to whom personal renown 

 was a matter of utter indifference. 



Among Hutton's friends there was one in particular to 

 whom a distinguished place in the list of the founders of 

 geology must be assigned Sir James Hall of Dunglass 

 (1761-1832). To this original investigator we owe the 

 establishment of experimental research, as a branch of 

 geological investigation. Inheriting a baronetcy and a 

 landed estate in East Lothian, not far from the picturesque 

 cliffs of St. Abb's Head, and possessed of ample leisure for 

 the prosecution of intellectual pursuits, he was led to 

 interest himself in geology. His father, a man of scientific 

 tastes, became acquainted with Hutton when the future 

 philosopher was a farmer in the neighbouring county of 

 Berwick. From these early days Hutton found the hospi- 

 tality of Dunglass always open to him. It will be re- 

 membered that the famous visit to Siccar Point, described 

 by Playfair, was made with Sir James from that house. 



At first Sir James Hall could not bring himself to 

 accept Hutton's views. " I was induced," he tells us, " to 

 reject his system entirely, and should probably have con- 



