342 



NATURE 



yMarck 4, 1875 



footing the true' principles of geological science ; his 

 theory being, that by the uniform action of forces such as 

 are now in operation, the visible crust of the earth has 

 been evolved from previous states. 



Lyell was not only a keen investigator of natural phe- 

 nomena ; he was also a shrewd observer of human 

 natu'e, and his four interesting volumes of travel in 

 America are full of clever criticism and sagacious fore- 

 casts. His mind, always fresh and open to new impres- 

 sions, by sympathy drew towards it and quickened the 

 enthusiasm of all who studied nature. Had he done 

 nothing himself, he would have helped science on by the 

 warmth with which he hailed each new discovery. How 

 many a young geologist has been braced up for new 

 efforts by the encouraging words he heard from Sir 

 Charles, and how many a one has felt exaggeration 

 checked and the faculty of seeing things as they are 

 strengthened by a conversation with that keen sifter of 

 the true from the false ! 



Though by nature most sociable and genial, yet '^■ir 

 Charles often withdrew from society where tl^e object of 

 his life, the pursuit of science, was not proaoted ; but 

 when anything interesting turned up he always tried to 

 share his pleasure with all around. Many of us will re- 

 member the cheerful and hearty "Look here" — "Have 

 you shown it to so and so ? " — " Capital, capital." 



The little wayside flower, and, from early happy asso- 

 ciations, still more, the passing butterfly, for the moment 

 seemed to engross his every thought. But the grandeur of 

 the sea impressed him most ; he never tired of wandering 

 along the shore, now speaking of the great problems of 

 earth's history, now of the little weed the wave left at his 

 feet. His mind was like the lens that gathers the great 

 sun into a speck and also magnifies the little grain we 

 could not see before. He loved all nature, great and 

 small. 



Much we owe to Leonard Homer, himself a good 

 geologist, for having inspired the young Charles Lyell. 

 In after years, when already well known, Charles Lyell 

 chose as his wife the eldest daughter of his teacher and 

 friend. Many have felt the charm of her presence — 

 many have felt the influence of the soul that shone out 

 in her face ; but few know how much science directly 

 owes to her. As the companion of his life, sharing his 

 l9.bour, thinking his success her own, Sir Charles had an 

 accomplished linguist who braved with him the dangers 

 and difficulties of travel, no matter how rough ; the ever- 

 ready prompter when memory failed, the constant adviser 

 in all cases of difficulty. Had she not been part of him 

 she would herself have been better known to fame. The 

 word of encouragement that he wished to give lost none 

 of its warmth when conveyed by her ; the welcome to 

 fellow-workers of foreign lands had a grace added when 

 offered through her. She was taken from him when the long 

 shadows began to cross his path ; but it was not then he 

 needed her most. When in the vigour of unimpaired 

 strength he struggled amongst the foremost in the fight 

 for truth, then she stood by and handed him his spear or 

 threw forward his shield. He had not her hand to smooth 

 his pillow at the last, but the loving wife was spared the 

 pain of seeing him die. 



It doubtless occurred to many a one among the crowd 

 who savv him laid to rest among the great in thought and 



action, that he might have been eminent in many a line 

 besides that he chose. 



His v/as a well-balanced judicial mind, which weighed 

 carefully all brought before it. A large type of intellect — 

 too rare not to be missed. But it was well that circum- 

 stances did not combine to keep the young laird on his 

 paternal lands among the hills of Forfarshire : it was well 

 for science that he was induced to prefer the quieter 

 study of nature to the subtle bandying of words or the 

 excitement of forensic strife. Failing health had for some 

 time removed him from debates. Still to the last his 

 interest in all that was going on in the scientific world 

 never failed, and nothing pleased him more than an . 

 account of the last discussion at the Geological Society, 

 or of any new work done. As a man of science his place 

 cannot be easily filled ; while many have lost a kind, good 

 friend. 



THE "BESSEMER" 

 ''1~'HIS novel steamer, upon the construction of which 

 -i- so much care and ingenuity have been expended, 

 is expected to leave Hull for the Thames this week, and 

 shortly will proceed upon her service between Dover and 

 Calais. By experiments recently made at Hull, the power 

 of the apparatus to put the ponderous saloon in motion 

 alternately in opposite directions, has been fully estab- 

 lished. It will no doubt be interesting to our readers if 

 we place before them the following observations connected 

 with the design of this vessel. 



The chief objects of her designers, Mr. Bessemer and 

 Mr. Reed, were— 



1. To reduce the discomfort of the journey to a 

 minimum. 



2. To make her very swift, so that the time spent 

 on the sea by her passengers should be as short as 

 possible. 



3. To ensure great steadiness among waves, both as to 

 rolling and pitching. 



Finally, to provide her with everything that can contri- 

 bute to the comfort and convenience of the passengers. 



All these points were carefully worked out and con- 

 sidered in connection with the hmit imposed on her draught 

 of water by the shallow harbour of Calais. 



The Bessemer is a double-ended vessel, propelled by 

 four large paddle wheels, two on each side. Each end for 

 a length of about 48 ft. is kept low for the purpose of re- 

 ducing the motions produced by the action of the wind 

 and of the sea, while the middle portion (about 254 ft.) 

 of her length is built sufficiently high to enable her to 

 steam at a high speed against the worst seas she will 

 meet. A rudder is fitted at each end with efficient means 

 for locking, so that the Bessemer will be able to steam 

 in either direction, and will not require to be turned round 

 in harbour, and each rudder is worked by means of Messrs. 

 Brown's patent hydraulic steering gear. 



Her great peculiarity, however, is that she contains a 

 large saloon 70 ft. long, designed by Mr. Bessemer, sus- 

 pended in the middle of the ship in such a manner that it 

 can be moved about a longitudinal axis parallel to the keel. 

 The motion of this saloon, which would be set up if left 

 free to move, when the ship rolled, will be governed by 

 an hydraulic apparatus (the invention of Mr. Bessemer), 



