220 Memoir of Mr. J. W. Featherstonhaugh. — By J. D. F^ 
As it was impossible for one of his active temperament to 
exist without some congenial work, on regaining his health, 
he established a monthly journal of geology in the city of 
Philadelphia, delivering lectures in the meanwhile to excite 
public interest, and at various intervals publishing classical 
translations, books of travel and much of Italian literature. 
Geological knowledge was gradually extending itself, and 
the government at Washington was becoming alive to its im~ 
portance. The federal senate, composed of men of culture 
and liberality, passed a bill authorizing geological surveys in 
the territories, and confirmed the appointment of Mr. Feather- 
stonhaugh as United States geologist. In this capacity he 
made several journeys in the wilderness beyond the limits of 
civilization, exposed to difficulties, dangers and hardship 
always. 
At length the longing for the home of his youth, his duty to 
his old blind mother, the desire for rest and the society of his 
old geological friends, Dr. Buckland and Sir Roderick Murchi- 
son, determined him to return to his native land, and he took 
leave, as he thought, for the last time of a country where so 
much hard work had been done for its agriculture, geology 
and means of internal communication. 
Although more than sixty years old, rest was not yet to 
come. Lord Palmerston was then in power, with his hands so 
full of European difficulties that he dreaded any complication 
of American affairs. The question of the boundary line be- 
tween Canada and the United States was then hotly and dan- 
gerously agitated. An indiscretion on either side might lead on 
to deplorable results. Armed parties of citizens were taking pos- 
session of strategic points and building defences. Peace could 
notbe long preserved under these circumstances. Indeed it was 
not a disavowed plan of belligerent politicians to drive their re- 
spective governments into hostilities. 
Mr. Featherstonhaugh, whose acquaintance with the public 
men and the geography of America was exceeded by none, and 
always having cherished his allegiance to his native country^ 
was called upon for advice and information by the English 
foreign office. The first essential point was to withdraw the 
subject entirely from the mere politician, and place it in the 
hands of the wiser and more responsible statesmen of the re- 
spective governments. The conference resulted in a commis- 
