286 LONDON AND CAMBRIDGE. [1837. 



even of my own papers for the ' Proceedings.' If I was 

 Secretary, and had to make double abstracts of each paper, 

 studying them before reading, and attendance would at least 

 cost me three days (and often more) in the fortnight. There 

 are likewise other accidental and contingent losses of time ; 

 I know Dr. Royle found the office consumed much of his 

 time. If by merely giving up any amusement, or by working 

 harder than I have done, I could save time, I would undertake 

 the Secretaryship ; but I appeal to you whether, with my 

 slow manner of writing, with two works in hand, and with 

 the certainty, if I cannot complete the Geological part within 

 a fixed period, that its publication must be retarded for a 

 very long time, whether any Society whatever has any 

 claim on me for three days' disagreeable work every fortnight. 

 I cannot agree that it is a duty on my part, as a follower 

 of science, as long as I devote myself to the completion of 

 the work I have in hand, to delay that, by undertaking what 

 may be done by any person who happens to have more 

 spare time than I have at present. Moreover, so early in 

 my scientific life, with so very much as I have to learn, 

 the office, though no doubt a great honour, &c., for me, 

 would be the more burdensome. Mr. Whewell (I know very 

 well), judging from himself, will think I exaggerate the time 

 the Secretaryship would require ; but I absolutely know the 

 time which with me the simplest writing consumes. I do 

 not at all like appearing so selfish as to refuse Mr. Whewell, 

 more especially as he has always shown, in the kindest 

 manner, an interest in my affairs. But I cannot look for- 

 ward with even tolerable comfort to undertaking an office 

 without entering on it heart and soul, and that would be 

 impossible with the Government work and the Geology in 

 hand. 



My last objection is, that I doubt how far my health will 

 stand the confinement of what I have to do, without any 

 additional work. I merely repeat, that you may know I am 



