358 Darwin and Geology 
feared that he found himself sadly overmatched when opposed by the 
eloquence of Sedgwick, the sarcasm of Buckland, and the dead weight 
of incredulity on the part of Greenough, Conybeare, Murchison and 
other members of the band of pioneer workers. As time went on 
there is evidence that the opposition of De la Beche and Whewell 
somewhat relaxed; the brilliant “Paddy” Fitton (as his friends 
called him) was sometimes found in alliance with Lyell, but was 
characteristically apt to turn his weapon, as occasion served, on 
friend or foe alike; the amiable John Phillips “sat upon the fence.” 
Only when a new generation arose—including Jukes, Ramsay, Forbes 
and Hooker—did Lyell find his teachings received with anything like 
favour. 
We can well understand, then, how Lyell would welcome such 
a recruit as young Darwin—a man who had declared himself more 
Lyellian than Lyell, and who brought to his support facts and 
observations gleaned from so wide a field. 
The first meeting of Lyell and Darwin was characteristic of the 
two men. Darwin at once explained to Lyell that, with respect to 
the origin of coral-reefs, he had arrived at views directly opposed to 
those published by “his master.” To give up his own theory, cost 
Lyell, as he told Herschel, a “pang at first,” but he was at once con- 
vinced of the immeasurable superiority of Darwin’s theory. I have 
heard members of Lyell’s family tell of the state of wild excitement 
and sustained enthusiasm, which lasted for days with Lyell after this 
interview, and his letters to Herschel, Whewell and others show his 
pleasure at the new light thrown upon the subject and his impatience 
to have the matter laid before the Geological Society. 
Writing forty years afterwards, Darwin, speaking of the time of 
the return of the Beagle, says: “I saw a great deal of Lyell. One of 
his chief characteristics was his sympathy with the work of others, 
and I was as much astonished as delighted at the interest which he 
showed when, on my return to England, I explained to him my views 
on coral-reefs. This encouraged me greatly, and his advice and 
example had much influence on me.” Darwin further states that he 
saw more of Lyell at this time than of any other scientific man, and 
at his request sent his first communication to the Geological Society’. 
“Mr Lonsdale” (the able curator of the Geological Society), Darwin 
wrote to Henslow, “with whom I had much interesting conversation,” 
“gave me a most cordial reception,” and he adds, “If I was not 
much more inclined for geology than the other branches of Natural 
History, I am sure Mr Lyell’s and Lonsdale’s kindness ought to fix 
me. You cannot conceive anything more thoroughly good-natured 
1 LL. 1 p. 68 2 1, L. 1. p. 67. 
