166 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



the iguanodon's jaw. Mr. Cogswell is here at present, and 

 will, I hope, pass the winter in London. We often see him. 

 We have a very mild beginning of winter. I wonder if there 

 are those sparkling twigs on the trees now to be seen at 

 New Haven, which was my last impression of it. My hus- 

 band is very busily engaged, as usual, and the different 

 societies having met, add to his other engagements. Sir 

 R. Murchison has returned from Italy, and reads a paper 

 on some observations he made there, next Wednesday, 

 at the Geological Society. I hear frequently from Mrs. 

 Ticknor ; she gives me Boston news. We have been re- 

 joicing greatly, as I am sure you have, in General Taylor's 

 election. It is for the United States to keep peace while 

 the old world is convulsed ; not but that I think good will 

 come, and is coming, out of all these disturbances. Sir 

 Charles unites with me in every kind wish to yourself and 

 Mrs. Silliman. 



FROM LADY LYELL. 



11 Harley Street, LONDON. 

 April 28, 1854. 



DEAR DR. SILLIMAN, We returned last week from our 

 winter's visit to Madeira and the Canary Islands, and I found 

 your kind note, now of old date, the 22d October, last 

 year, and also your kind present of your last Travels in 

 Europe, for which, pray accept our best thanks. I have as 

 yet done little more than glance at it, but I see a great deal 

 to interest me in it when I take it up more leisurely. At 

 present, you will believe we are fully employed, as there is 

 always much to be done after an absence of several months. 

 But this season we have peculiar excitement, as two days 

 after our return last week, our brother and sister, Major 

 and Mrs. Lyell, returned from India with their three little 

 boys. She is my own sister, and we have, of course, much 

 to talk about after three years' separation. They have, how- 

 ever, come here for good, and have taken a house in the 

 Regent's Park. In the mean time, they are staying with my 



