64 UFK OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



. >nnlil to abhor astronomy much more than geol- 

 \\liich only relates theologically to a question of time 

 on one subject. But I must conclude, with sincere regard, 

 Yours very truly, 



ROBERT BAKEWELL. 



I', s. On the 10th of this month I believe I shall stand 

 on the seventy-first arch of the bridge. 



FROM MR. BAKEWELL. 



HAMTSTKAI., (near London,) October 30, 1839. 



I HAVE often thought of what I mentioned in a 



former letter, the formation of a simple universal lan- 

 guage for correspondence among all Europeans and their 

 ndants. I believe it might easily be practised and 

 learned, and serve also as a commodious short-hand for 

 all nations. I hope I shall be able to explain the intro- 

 ductory principles, and leave it to be worked out by your- 

 self, or some of your compatriots who take the lead in use- 

 ful inventions. What think you of the insect-tree lately 

 discovered in South America, see the "Athenaeum," num- 

 ber fnr October. We have something analogous in the 

 animalcul swimming with great activity, and "then fixing 

 themselves and becoming vegetables. Young sponges, too, 

 :< scribed as extremely frolicsome for some time, before 

 (hey <^row steady and fix themselves to one place for life. 

 Tin- whole of animal and vegetable life is truly marvellous; 

 the propagation of species by common natural laws is as 

 wondci Tul as their instant creation out of nothing could be, 

 or that an oak should, at a certain state of its growth, be- 

 a man. Take an egg in your hand for the first time ; 

 could you believe that it would become an eagle? To 

 return to Mr. M.'s book. I exceedingly regret that my 

 health will not allow me to do it justice in a review. I 

 'Id him it was my intention to send you an ac- 

 -\hich I am not now equal to. 

 anxious about Dr. Mantell. I have not seen or 



