

XL] FAILURE OF HEALTH. 375 



which, alas ! I have no further use, as a gift ; but pray 

 do not send it back. I shall be gratified by the thought 

 that it is in the keeping of one having kindred feeling 

 with its old master ; and many an ice-step may it yet cut 

 for you ! I copy out on a separate leaf an extract from 

 my journal regarding it, written in September 1842, 

 which you will see gives perfect identification of the 

 circumstances. . . . Mr. Kuskin, of fine art celebrity, 

 has just sent me drawings of sections artificially made by 

 him of the contact of gneiss and limestone, which amply 

 confirm my assertions in my Travels, and in a later paper 

 in reply to Mr. Sharpe, which I believe I sent you. 

 Professor Studer of Berne writes me that a pupil of his 

 has fully verified my section at Courmayeur, so that point 

 is settled/ 



The foundation of the Alpine Club in 1858 was hailed 

 by Forbes with great interest, as promising to continue 

 the work which he had begun ; and his name headed 

 the list of its honorary members. But although his 

 endeavours to lead its founders into paths of scientific 

 observation met, as he good-humouredly complains, with 

 great obstacles in their passion for * unbounded muscular 

 exertion, and unfettered freedom of range/ his sympathy 

 and advice wnv < \< r freely given, and gladly accepted. 

 He thus wrii.-s to one of his Alpine correspondents : 

 '. . ! I congratulate you on having so sincere a taste 

 for mountain scenery; mid as your acquaintance with it 

 and with physical geography incr I trust that you 



will be able to make further and still more valuable 

 observations, for there is still much to be done with the 

 glaciers, as well as other subjects. The state of my own 

 health prevents my renewing iny active explorations ; 

 but it is a very great pleasure to me to hear from you 

 and others of the prosecution of Alpii i< h ; and if 



can be at any time and in any degree useful, 

 it is nmeh at your service. Robust I can i iin 



i mountains are for you and your 

 cot< i 



