424 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



the exploration of the chain of Mont Blanc, and I 

 fondly, perhaps too sanguinely, expect to be remembered 

 not only by the theory of glacier ^notion, which I still 

 call my own, but by the execution of the first detailed 

 map ever made of a glacier. 



' Surveying was with me from early boyhood a passion. 

 To improve and rectify and extend my map when made 

 was a subject of reasonable ambition, and a labour of 

 love. When disabled by hopeless infirmity from doing 

 more in this way, I have tried year by year to incite 

 younger men to take up the work and unravel the 

 remainder of the chain of Mont Blanc. I tried for years 

 in vain. At last I see it done in a masterly manner by 

 an amateur like myself, based on a system of triangula- 

 tion of my own, which, being unpublished, I furnished 

 to Mr. Keilly, and I also advised in great detail as to the 

 course to be pursued in carrying forward the work. I 

 see all this done, and what is even more difficult and 

 surprising, I see it embodied in a map, which I have no 

 hesitation in saying would do credit to a bred engineer 

 and draughtsman. I see the way paved for its appear- 

 ance as a British work, the first true delineation of the 

 most interesting ground in Europe ; and then some 

 indefinite and shadowy obstacle seems to be interposed 

 in the way of its appearance, and I see that the really 

 later French work, in a mutilated form, embracing but 

 a section of the chain, will, if more energy be not used 

 on this side the Channel, be actually laid on our tables 

 while the Alpine Club are talking about the proposed pub- 

 lication. I ask you, therefore, as a friend of my own, and 

 as one unquestionably deeply interested in the subject, 

 and in the credit due to British enterprise in this matter, 

 to obtain as you, from your position as President, so 

 easily can no doubtful decision of the Club on this 

 subject, and I trust that you will have the kindness to 

 give me early information of what is intended. I will 

 answer the other part of your letter, in which I am also 

 much interested, at another and more fitting time. 



* P.S. I intend returning to St. Andrews to-morrow/ 



