My dear Sir

Many thanks for your interesting letter.¹ I feel much gratified with the favourable opinion you have formed of my book on the glacial period.² Your explanation of the appearances presented by the coarse gravels in the South of England is quite new to me, and the more I think of it, the more feasible does it appear. I shall certainly keep it in view the next time I have an opportunity of visiting a non-glaciated area; and meanwhile I send an account of it to M^r. Skertchley,³ who is a very excellent observer, & will be sure to appreciate it.

I may mention that a few days ago I revisited Brandon to examine for my own satisfaction the evidence which M^r. Skertchley has adduced to show that palæolithic man was an inhabitant of England before the accumulation of the “great chalky boulder-clay”, and after going over the ground I feel sure that he is right.⁴ The palæolithic beds there are clearly of two ages—namely (a) beds of brick-earth &^c. with implements, very sorely denuded, lying below the boulder-clay; and (b) beds of gravel, sand &^c. with implements, resting upon the boulder-clay. It is from these latter that all the implements have hitherto been obtained: that is, up to the time when M^r. Skertchley got them in the lower beds.

In speaking of the glacier theory having preceded that of icebergs I was referring to the fact that Agassiz was the first to point out that glaciers had formerly existed in our islands.⁵ Up to that time (1840) I do not think anyone had suspected that this was the case. But after that time the iceberg theory came prominently forward. No doubt it was not for a number of years subsequently that what is now called the glacier theory came into vogue; and if my work sh^d. ever come to another edition I will take care to alter the passage you refer to, so as to prevent any misunderstanding.⁶

I am exceedingly obliged for your kindness in sending me a copy of your “Geological observations”⁷—a book which I have long wished to possess,— all your other works I have.

You credit me with the authorship of the Life of Murchison—but that was written by my brother (Professor A. Geikie)— There be two Richmonds in the field!⁸

Again thanking you very much for the trouble you have taken to write me | I remain | very faithfully yours | James Geikie