SIX CHARLES LYELL. 261 



that I shall ever reap, but I feel that if I could 

 have fair play for the next ten years, I could gain 

 a reputation that would make a moderate income 

 for the latter part of my life, yield me a command 

 of society, and a respect that would entitle me to 

 rest a little on my oars, and enable me to help 

 somewhat those I love. . . . As to geology having 

 half of my heart, I hope I shall be able to give my 

 whole soul to it, with that enthusiasm by which 

 alone any advance can be made in any science, or, 

 indeed, in any profession." 



In 1832 Lyell was made professor of geology in 

 King's College, London, which position he resigned 

 later, because he wished " the power of command- 

 ing time to increase his knowledge and fame." 

 This year also, July 12, when he was thirty-five, 

 he was married to Mary Homer, and made a tour 

 up the valley of the Rhine. 



The earnest life was now more earnest and busy 

 than ever. He said, "I am never so happy as 

 when, at the end of a week, I feel I have employed 

 every day in a manner that will tell to the rest of 

 my life." Would that all of us could live after so 

 noble a plan ! 



" Unless I can feel that I am working to some 

 decided end, such as that of fame, money, or partly 

 both, I cannot be quite happy, or cannot feel a 

 stimulus to that strenuous application without 

 which I should not remain content." He had 

 learned what " strenuous application " means, and 

 knew that there is no success without it. When 



