198 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



his lectures, to astonish the Bostonians ; and I should sup- 

 pose the prestige of his name and his European reputation 

 will insure him a flattering reception. I should like to 



have accompanied him. He goes first to Canada 



I understand Mr. Lowell was very anxious to induce Fara- 

 day to come over and lecture on Chemistry. But poor 

 Faraday, like several of our best men, has overworked 



himself, and is obliged to lay by altogether There 



is a hauteur or reserve about Mr. Lyell to strangers, that 

 prevents his being so popular among our society as he de- 

 serves to be. I believe him to have an excellent heart, and 

 he is very kind and affectionate, when his better feelings 

 are called upon. I have had some reason to complain on 

 points relating to authorship, but that perhaps is mere 

 weakness of human nature. I am very much attached to 

 him. I have only to regret that he has not that warmth of 

 feeling which I hoped to find in him, and which would have 



rendered him an invaluable friend to me Perhaps 



we Southrons are of more excitable stuff than the North- 

 erners. 



TO DR. MANTELL. 



NEW HAVEN, September 25, 1841. 



OUR house is a mile and a half from the depot, 



and the whole distance is through the streets of the town. 

 By and by Mr. Lyell says, after riding a mile, are you 

 carrying us to the Tontine ? " No, to another house where, 

 although your entertainment may not be as luxurious, your 

 welcome will be quite as hearty ! Mrs. Silliman and my 

 daughter present their respects to Mrs. Lyell, and invite 

 her, as I do her husband also, to the hospitality of our 

 house. Your chamber is ready, and we shall make the 

 best use of our time in being together j we will, if you 

 please, banish all reserve, and be acquainted at once." They 

 took us at our word, and we were soon at my door, where 

 Mrs. Lyell met a warm welcome from the ladies. This was 

 Tuesday evening, and they remained with us until Friday 



