LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



Saturday on my interesting interview with Baron Hum- 

 boldt. I had scarcely seated myself, after a most flattering 

 recognition and kind reception by him, when he spoke 

 of the science of America as commanding at the present 

 time much admiration in Europe, and, in connection 

 with the subject, he spoke most enthusiastically of your 

 work, characterizing it as the most splendid contribution 

 to science of the present day. I could not but think that 

 such an opinion from such a man must be gratifying to 

 you, as it certainly was to me, and so I have taken the 

 liberty to communicate it to you." 



WILLIAM E. GLADSTONE TO DANA 



41 Dec. 28, 1885. 



" I have had the honor of knowing several members of 

 your family. I met your own name as that of a recog- 

 nized authority in the last edition of Phillips's Manual of 

 Geology ; and it gives me particular pleasure to receive 

 the excellent paper which you have sent me, and of which 

 I have just had time to make use in preparing for the 

 forthcoming number of the Nineteenth Century my rejoin- 

 der to Professor Huxley's criticisms. I shall do myself 

 the honor to send you in due time a separate copy of the 

 next article, and with cordial thanks for your kindness I 

 have the honor to remain," etc., etc. 



DANA TO GLADSTONE 



" NEW HAVEN, Jan. 22, 1886. 



" It gave me great pleasure to receive your letter of 

 the 28th ult., and also to have from you a copy of your 

 admirable reply to the eminent professor. Your argu- 

 ments bearing on the days of Genesis, from the first of 

 the six to the last, met all reasonable objections that 

 science can make. I may add that it is a gratification 

 to be sustained in all important points by your judgment. 

 The recognition of the nebula theory in the interpreta- 

 tion appears to be strongly favored by the Septuagint 

 translation the earth was unformed and invisible." 



356 



