LONDON. 



59 



for the sake of observing the effects of the old glaciers which 

 formerly filled all the larger valleys. I published a short ac- 

 count of what I saw in the 'Philosophical Magazine.'* This 

 excursion interested me greatly, and it was the last time I 

 was ever strong enough to climb mountains or to take long 

 walks such as are necessary for geological work. 



During the early part of our life in London, I was strong 

 enough to go into general society, and saw a good deal of 

 several scientific men, and other more or less distinguished 

 men. I will give my impressions with respect to some of 

 them, though I have little to say worth saying. 



I saw more of Lyell than of any other man, both before 

 and after my marriage. His mind was characterised, as it 

 appeared to me, by clearness, caution, sound judgment, and 

 a good deal of originality. When I made any remark to him 

 on Geology, he never rested until he saw the whole case 

 clearly, and often made me see it more clearly than I had 

 done before. He would advance all possible objections to my 

 suggestion, and even after these were exhausted would long 

 remain dubious. A second characteristic was his hearty 

 sympathy with the work of other scientific men.f 



On my return from the voyage of the Beagle, I explained 

 to him my views on coral-reefs, which differed from his, and 

 I was greatly surprised and encouraged by the vivid interest 

 which he showed. His delight in science was ardent, and he 

 felt the keenest interest in the future progress of mankind. 

 He was very kind-hearted, and thoroughly liberal in his 

 religious beliefs, or rather disbeliefs ; but he was a strong 

 theist. His candour was highly remarkable. He exhibited 

 this by becoming a convert to the Descent theory, though he 

 had gained much fame by opposing Lamarck's views, and 

 this after he had grown old. He reminded me that I bad 



*' Philosophical Magazine,' 1S42. 



f The slight repetition here observable is accounted for by the notes 

 on Lyell, &c, having been added in April, i83i, a few years after the rest 

 of the ' Recollections ' were written. 



