If you know beforehand, will you tell me when your paper is read, for the
chance of my being able to attend? I very seldom leave home, as I find
perfect quietude suits my health best.


(PLATE: CHARLES DARWIN, Cir. 1854. Maull & Fox, photo. Walker &
Cockerell, ph. sc.)


LETTER 540. TO C. LYELL.
Down, January 10th, 1855.

I received your letter yesterday, but was unable to answer it, as I had to
go out at once on business of importance. I am very glad that you are
reconsidering the subject of foliation; I have just read over what I have
written on the subject, and admire it very much, and abide by it all.
(540/1. "Geological Observations on South America," Chapter VI., 1846.)
You will not readily believe how closely I attended to the subject, and in
how many and wide areas I verified my remarks. I see I have put pretty
strongly the mechanical view of origin; but I might even then, but was
afraid, have put my belief stronger. Unfortunately I have not D. Sharpe's
paper here to look over, but I think his chief points [are] (1) the
foliation forming great symmetrical curves, and (2) the proof from effects
of form of shell (540/2. This refers to the distortion of shells in
cleaved rocks.) of the mechanical action in cleaved rocks. The great
curvature would be, I think, a grand discovery of Sharpe's, but I confess
there is some want of minuteness in the statement of Sharpe which makes me
wish to see his facts confirmed. That the foliation and cleavage are parts
of curves I am quite prepared, from what I have seen, to believe; but the
simplicity and grandeur of Sharpe's curves rather stagger me. I feel