LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



other formations, exemplifying on a vast scale the opera- 

 tion of igneous causes in modifying the earth's surface; 

 there are also examples of denudation and disruption, 

 commensurate with the magnitude of the mountain eleva- 

 tions. These three great sources of change and progress 

 in the earth's history are abundantly illustrated." 



Dana's Letters on the Voyage 



From these panoramas of the fascinating scenery of the 

 Pacific Ocean, which Dana so thoroughly enjoyed in all 

 the freshness of his youth, and with all the keenness of 

 his observant mind, we turn to the files of his letters, 

 preserved by the hands of friendship and affection, and 

 present the reader with a selection of those which have 

 the most general interest. These letters are like original 

 pencil-sketches by an artist, the bases of future reflec- 

 tions and studies. 



The selection begins with letters to two of his intimate 

 friends in New Haven. 



TO EDWARD C. HERRICK 



" U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR Peacock, 

 * OFF OLD POINT COMFORT, Aug. 14, 1838. 



" I am now very snugly stowed away on board the Pea- 

 cock in a small stateroom six feet by seven and a half, 

 where I am required to keep, in addition to my own 

 private stores, which are not a little bulky, all the public 

 stores pertaining to my department. Just about room 

 enough is left, between the bureau forward and a large 

 box from Chilton's aft, my bunk on one side and my 

 washstand on the other, to stand up without touching 

 either of the above-mentioned articles. Yet I feel that 

 our prospects are fine, that our accommodations are bet- 

 ter than they would have been aboard the Macedonia, 

 where two occupied a single stateroom, and that nothing 

 is needed but yourself to make it quite an earthly para- 

 dise. Mr. Hale and Mr. Peale are my scientific associ- 

 ates. Pickering, Couthouy, and Drayton are on the 

 Vincennes, Captain Wilkes's vessel, and Rich and Agate 



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