Memoir of Edward Forbes, F.R.S., late Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh / by George Wilson and Archibald Geikie.

Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoir of Edward Forbes, F.R.S., late Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh / by George Wilson and Archibald Geikie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    CHAP. XIV. But before going through some steady geoiogica] work in the field, I dare scarcely advise you to write papers, if you are in earnest about geologizing, take two or three months’ hard work, learning the trade with the geological surveyors. To understand rocks in the field it is necessary to do this, or at least accompany some able practical geologist for many excursions. “ I must stop at present, having many things to do before starting.—Ever, E. Forbes.” On 14th October, after getting back to Jermyn Street, he writes to Mr. Eamsay, “ I am now settled down here for the winter. There is no show of pupils yet, but we must make an effort as soon as the Exhibition is over, and when Playfair, etc., will be free for home affairs. The governor comes up to-morrow to see the last of the great show. Smyth is here. ... I have just finished Hitchcock’s Religion of Geology, a very remark- able book, written in unaffected earnestness, so much so, that, even where he seems lost in theological prejudices, one reads with pleasure. It is the best book I have yet seen for putting into the hands of sincerely pious people who have a dread of geology.—Ever, E. Forbes.” The School of Mines opened on the 6th November with an inaugural discourse from Sir Henry de la Beche. Each of his colleagues also delivered an introductory lecture ; and, though Forbes at first had resolved “ to begin plump with no introductory,” he yet conformed to the general practice. In writing to Mr. Ramsay he thus chronicles the doings in Jermyn Street :—“ About the Museum and School of Mines ; on the whole we
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