| RefNo | MS/251/32 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from George William Featherstonehaugh, New York, to William Buckland, Christ's Church College, Oxford |
| Date | 27 June 1829 |
| Description | Buckland's letter from March has arrived late, by government packet, and Featherstonehaugh gives instructions for more timely future correspondence. He is unhappy and [Roderick Impey] Murchison may have told Buckand that the house and library at Featherstone Park has been burnt to the ground. He is gratified by Buckland's comments on his translation. He gives general comments on his situation in America and describes 'a void in my affections and many wounds to heal'. He has not heard from Buckland's brother, whom he thought intended to go to New Orleans. Murchison has written many letters and, based on local rocks with rich veins, Featherstonehaugh is inclined to agree with him on the idea of an 'ancient igneous fusion'. But he parts ways if Murchison denies a global Deluge and he asks if Buckland will inform him if the opinions of Sedgwick, Murchison and others differ from Buckland's on the subject and 'whether they are really making regular war against the old patriarch Noah'. He thinks that the French philosophers are trying to eclipse the celebrity of the English geologists. He reviews Brogniart's nomenclature as 'impudent' and 'trash' and hopes the [William Daniel] Conybeare will come out against it. He looks to Buckland as a good geologist and churchman to set things right and hopes he will do justice to Featherstonehaugh in his book. He discusses fossil finds in America, notably the mastodon, whch he has also communicated to the Geological Society, referring to the Big Bone Lick in Kentucky. He has found a saurian bone in old red sandstone and he expects to find a bone that has not been silicified - the creature's remains have been scattered. He gives remarks on the geology of the interior of America. He has lately sent a great beryl to Henry Sketchbury and he urges Buckland to see it. He thinks Buckland should send [George Bellas] Greenhaugh out to work with him on the geology of America. Gives the postscript: 'What bones have these Frenchmen found? Some monkey I suppose and they will have taken it for a Frenchman'.
Cross-written. |
| Extent | 4p. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | On paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6004 | Featherstonehaugh; George William (1780 - 1866) | 1780 - 1866 |