Part of Collection
University Archives and Manuscripts
Title
Notebook No.149
Creators/Contributors
Rights
Out of Copyright. Free use.
Collection
Papers of Sir Charles Lyell
Production Date
14 December 1846 - 18 January 1847
Shelfmark (Identifier)
Coll-203/A1/149
Catalogue Record
https://archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories/2/archival_objects/180307
Subjects
- Zoos
- Museums
- Sea Serpents
Description
This black notebook contains a record of Charles Lyell’s discussions, ideas, and recordings of December 1846 whilst he was back in the U.K, based at 11 Harley Street, London, after his second travel to America. Throughout this notebook there are crossed out memorandums and geological references alongside contemporary political and religious discussions. The Wandering Jew references are continued in this notebook as in Notebooks 146 and 147. Places Lyell refers to in this notebook include America, Egypt, Lyons, Rome, and Ireland. Lyell also references and talks to key individuals including Richard Dana (American Lawyer and Politian), Lambruschini and Gizzi (Italian Cardinals), Henry Robert Dukinfield (Religious Official), Edward Forbes (Naturalist), Chester Dewey (Botanist and Anti-slavery Activist), Honoré Mirabeau (Writer and Statesman), Christian Bunsen (Diplomat and Scholar), Henry Hallam (British Museum Trustee), and William Ellery Channing (Theologian). Lyell’s interest in sea-serpents features again in this notebook as well as his knowledge of classical literature such as Tacitus, a discussion on Menes, king of Egypt, and on Bunsen on the mythical vs human nature of the figure and mythology. Lyell continues his interest in British and U.S politics, covering issues like slavery, economy, and education.
Language