1838.] GLEN ROY. 



avoided this ; your references only seem to say, " I can't tell 

 you all in this work, else I would, so you must go to the 

 ' Principles ' " ; and many a one, I trust, you will send there, 

 and make them, like me, adorers of the good science of rock- 

 breaking. You will see I am in a fit of enthusiasm, and good 

 cause I have to be, when I find you have made such infinitely 

 more use of my Journal than I could have anticipated. I 

 will say no more about the book, for it is all praise. I must, 

 however, admire the elaborate honesty with which you quote 

 the words of all living and dead geologists. 



My Scotch expedition answered brilliantly ; my trip in 

 the steam-packet was absolutely pleasant, and I enjoyed the 

 spectacle, wretch that I am, of two ladies, and some small 

 children quite sea-sick, I being w r ell. Moreover, on my return 

 from Glasgow to Liverpool, I triumphed in a similar manner 

 over some full-grown men. I stayed one whole day in Edin- 

 burgh, or more truly on Salisbury Craigs ; I want to hear 

 some day what you think about that classical ground, the 

 structure was to me new and rather curious, that is, if I 

 understand it right. I crossed from Edinburgh in gigs and 

 carts (and carts without springs, as I never shall forget) to 

 Loch Leven. I was disappointed in the scenery, and reached 

 Glen Roy on Saturday evening, one week after leaving Marl- 

 borough Street. Here I enjoyed five [?] days of the most 

 beautiful weather with gorgeous sunsets, and all nature look- 

 ing as happy as I felt. I wandered over the mountains in 

 all directions, and examined that most extraordinary district. 

 I think, without any exceptions, not even the first volcanic 

 island, the first elevated beach, or the passage of the Cor- 

 dillera, was so interesting to me as this week. It is far the 

 most remarkable area I ever examined. I have fully con- 

 vinced myself (after some doubting at first) that the shelves 

 are sea-beaches, although I could not find a trace of a shell ; 

 and I think I can explain away most, if not all, the difficul- 

 ties. I found a piece of a road in another valley, not hith- 

 erto observed, which is important ; and I have some curious 

 facts about erratic blocks, one of which was perched up on 

 13 



