Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley — Volume 1Huxley, Thomas Henry
Science
Life and Letters of Thomas Henry Huxley — Volume 1
Huxley, Thomas Henry
Huxley, Thomas Henry, 1825-1895; Naturalists -- England -- Biography
As I suspected, Forbes has made a most egregious blunder. What he speaks
of and figures as the "structure" of the Brenon is nothing but a
peculiar arrangement of ENTIRELY SUPERFICIAL DIRT BANDS, DEPENDENT ON
THE STRUCTURE, BUT NOT IT. The true structure is singularly beautiful
and well marked in the Brenon, the blue veins being very close set, and
of course wholly invisible from a distance of a hundred yards, which is
less than that of the spot whence Forbes' view of the (supposed)
structure is taken.
I saw another wonderful thing in La Brenon. About the middle of its
length there is a step like this of about 20 or 30 feet in height. In
the lower part (B) the structural planes are vertical; in the upper (A)
they dip at a considerable angle. I thought I had found a case of
unconformability, indicating a slip of one portion of the glacier over
another, but when I came to examine the intermediate region (X)
carefully, I found the structural planes at every intermediate angle,
and consequently a perfect transition from the one to the other.
I returned by Aosta, the great St. Bernard, and the Col de Balme. Old
Simond was quite affectionate in his discourse about you, and seemed
quite unhappy because you would not borrow his money. He had received
your remittance, and asked me to tell you so. He was distressed at
having forgotten to get a certificate from you, so I said in mine I was
quite sure you were well satisfied with him.
On our journey he displayed his characteristic qualities, Je ne sais pas
being the usual answer to any topographical inquiries with a total
absence of nerve, and a general conviction that distances were very
great and that the weather would be bad. However, we got on very well,
and I was sorry to part with him.
I came home by way of Neuchatel, paying a visit to the Pierre a Bot,
which I have long wished to see. My financial calculations were perfect
in theory, but nearly broke down in practice, inasmuch as I was twice
obliged to travel first-class when I calculated on second. The result
was that my personal expenses between Paris and London amounted to
1.50!! and I arrived at my own house hungry and with a remainder of a
few centimes. I should think that your fate must have been similar.
Many thanks for writing to my wife. She sends her kindest remembrances
to you.
Ever yours,
T.H.H.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account