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.

[The year 1857 was the last in which Huxley apparently had time to go so far in journal-writing as to draw up a balance-sheet at the year’s end of work done and work undone.  Though he finds] “as usual a lamentable difference between agenda and acta; many things proposed to be done not done, and many things not thought of finished,” [still there is enough noted to satisfy most energetic people.  Mention has already been made of his lectures—­sixty-six at Jermyn Street, twelve Fullerian, and as many more