216 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



to the gates of Mexico and to the shores of California. 

 My family are well, and one and all unite in affectionate 

 remembrance and best wishes 



FROM DR. MANTELL. 



June 21, 1846. 



IN the geological world, Murchison and Lyell 



monopolize everything. Russia and America, roast, boiled, 

 cold, hashed, and fricasseed, are the dishes set before us at 

 Somerset House, till, like the poor Frenchman, we ex- 

 claim, " Helas ! toujours perdrix ! " And, I doubt not, 

 the same viands will be the principal subjects at the meet- 

 ings of the British Association of Science in the geological 

 section 



FROM DR. MANTELL. 



September 21, 1846. 



I MENTIONED that I had engaged to write a 



popular work on the " Geology of the Isle of Wight." As 

 the British Association of Science was to meet at South- 

 ampton this month, I was very desirous of getting the book 

 out in time to serve as a hand-book for the visitors ; but my 

 repeated interruptions from illness rendered this impossible, 

 and I have only been able to print about forty pages and 

 the map, &c., and a few of these were sent down as speci- 

 mens of the work. I fear the volume will cost me two 

 months' labor more, even if I devote every leisure moment 

 to it. You will smile incredulously, I doubt not, if I add 

 that this shall be my last work on geology and its kindred 

 sciences, but I do indeed intend it to be so. If I should 

 have energy enough left, my " Nervous System " must, for 

 many important reasons, occupy my whole attention; and 

 with that I believe my task and my weary pilgrimage will 

 terminate. A month since I went to R. in the Isle of 

 Wi^ht, from Monday to Saturday, (the longest holiday I 

 have had these two years,) but though the weather was 



