2 JO 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCKLAND. 
[CH. X. 
Sir Roderick Murchison was constantly with the 
Bucklands—ever ready with sympathy and advice, the 
very beau ideal of a friend. The following letter is an 
evidence of the regard he had for both the Dean and 
his wife :— 
“ 16, Belgrave Square, 
“July $tk f 1854. 
“ My DEAR Mrs. Buckland—I f you had been in town, 
it was my intention to have begged your acceptance of my 
‘Siluria’; and if you are now at I slip, will you tell me 
whether and how to send it to you ? 
“ You will be the only lady to whom a copy is sent, and 
I make this special exception out of sincere regard for 
yourself and gratitude to your husband, who helped on the 
old soldier to make his way as a geologist. I have in a 
prelude to the work explained how Dr. Buckland was the 
first person who incited me to examine the very tract in 
which I opened out the mine that proved so rich and 
instructive. 
“1 well recollect our pleasant visit to you in 1831 on 
our way to Wales, and when I was looking out for some 
entirely fresh pastures and exercises for my restless mind. 
Alas ! what changes since ; among these none grieved me 
more than the visitation with which you and your family 
were afflicted. 
“ My book necessarily deals little with the subjects in 
which my eminent friend most distinguished himself, but the 
two or three allusions made to him will, I trust, gratify you. 
Lyell, albeit my last chapter pokes him very hard, has 
complimented me much on the work, and particularly for 
the manner in which I have handled the Cambrian shadows 
which have melted away before the labours of so many 
good men : none of them certainly were paid or bribed 
by me. 
“ My case is simply that of truth, as old Lonsdale writes, 
and I cannot be put aside. 
