28 Biographical Sketch 



The youth himself was full of confidence 

 and hope. He wrote : " All the Naturalists 

 here are on tiptop expectation regarding 

 the good things I am to bring home. The 

 British Museum folks are half mad about it, 

 as scarcely anything is known from the west 

 coasts. There will certainly be a splendid 

 coast to be examined, if God grant me life 

 and health for that purpose. 



" I was at the Geological Society, Somerset 

 House, last night. Buckland, Sir Henry de 

 la Beche, Phillips, Sedgewick, Mansell, Lyell, 

 and last, not least, old Von Buch looking as 

 green and fresh as a daisy. I was introduced 

 to all these, as besides to the Marquis of 

 Northampton, the Bishop of Norwich, etc., 

 etc." 



Some of Tom's last words home are so 

 touching and so manly, one feels impelled to 

 quote from them. 



" My heart is very full and I can say but 

 little, but God ever bless you, dearest Mamma; 

 think of and pray for your devotedly affec- 

 tionate son." To his father he wrote, " Your 

 letter was a great comfort to me. I will 

 endeavour to the best of my ability to fulfil 

 your wishes. Never fear for my being too 



