xii.] LIFE IN ST. ANDREWS. 427 



wilder than ever about ice praises it highly in an article 

 in the North British Review.' 



To the DUKE OF ARGYLL. 



' ST. ANDREWS, November 6th, 1865. 



'When I visited Birmingham at the meeting of the 

 British Association in September, Sir Koderick Mur- 

 chison called my attention to the extreme importance 

 of having the science of Geology thoroughly taught in 

 the Edinburgh University, with which is now connected 

 the Geological Survey Museum there. 



' Sir Koderick, when he spoke, was aware that I had 

 long lamented the decay of the study and teaching of 

 Geology proper in the Edinburgh School, to which I had 

 an opportunity of specially adverting in an address de- 

 livered two years ago to the Koyal Society of Edinburgh. 

 Considering the immense impulse given to the science by 

 the Edinburgh School of Geology, the present torpor 

 of the University as a source of geological knowledge 

 cannot be too much regretted. Sir Koderick as a Scotch- 

 man, though unconnected with Edinburgh in a direct 

 manner, feels it keenly, as I also do, and many more. 

 It may be in your Grace's recollection that at the time of 

 the death of Edward Forbes, the division of the chair 

 into two departments, of Geology and Natural History 

 proper, was seriously discussed. 



'A great part of the magnificent and increasing col- 

 lections of the museums is rendered unavailing for 

 students. I do, as a Scotchman and as an old Edin- 

 burgh man, feel keenly the reproach, and desire to 

 see it removed. Sir Koderick has in view for the post 

 an admirable man Geikie who is believed to be most 

 desirous to accept it, and all that is wanted is a mode- 

 rate pecuniary endowment, which cannot, we think, be 

 withheld, if your Grace will give the proposal your 

 active support. It is a sad thing to see a study dying 

 out in a country where it formerly so conspicuously 

 flourished. 



4 I tru>t that your Grace will excuse me for urging 



