53, Harley Str. London
27. March
Dear William
I have no hesitation in answering your question as to the probability of finding coal in the New Forest.
Every geologist will tell you that there is no chance of it anywhere. I know well the country about Branshaw. Even if there had been coal there I do not think the quantity of iron sandstone would be such as to tempt such speculations even had coal been present.
I was glad to hear this morning from your father that he is better and getting on with his work.
believe me | dear William | ever most truly yrs | Cha Lyell
Status: Draft transcription
This transcript was produced as a side-product of the work of the Darwin Correspondence Project and may not have been proofread to the DCP’s usual standards.
Please cite as “FL-0330,” in Ɛpsilon: The Darwin Family Letters Collection accessed on 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/darwin-family-letters/letters/FL-0330