LYELL 105 



greatly inspired him to make " the study of the rocks " 

 his life's work. In 1821 Lyell came to London, entered 

 Lincoln's Inn, and in 1825 was called to the bar. Having 

 practised as a barrister for two years, he finally resolved 

 to follow the life of a man of science. His first contri- 

 bution to scientific literature was " On the Marls of 

 Forfarshire," in 1822. In the following year he 

 visited France, was introduced to Cuvier, Humboldt, 

 and other distinguished men, and in 1824 accom- 

 panied Buckland on a geological tour in Scotland, and 

 thereby laid the foundation of his subsequent scientific 

 career. 



Having been appointed Professor of Geology at King's 

 College, London, Lyell was elected F.R.S. in 1826. Be- 

 tween the years 1830-33 he published his famous work, 

 The Principles of Geology. This work is the masterpiece 

 of the great geologist, and is a classic in scientific 

 literature : encyclopaedic in its scope, and exhaustive in its 

 treatment, it may be looked upon with pride, not only 

 as a representative of English science, but as without 

 a rival of its kind anywhere. 



The Principles contain an elaborate criticism of 

 Lamarck's views. Lamarck, poor, neglected, and blind in 

 old age, died in 1829, and was attacked by Lyell, who 

 refuted the former's ideas concerning the origin of species ; 

 but this adverse criticism was the means of giving Herbert 

 Spencer " a decided leaning to them " " a partial accept- 



