To Charles Lyell 12 July 1848

My dear Lyell,

We were making some allusions to the propriety of introducing religious considerations into popular lectures. If this be done occasionally, & not overdone, I always think it may produce good. I know that some persons are averse to this. But I have been led to believe that much, very much, of the idle views of the Puseyites has originated from the banishment (or nearly so) of the Natural Sciences from our Universities. I ventured to allude to this in the enclosed pamphlet 2 years ago. I hardly think I should have ventured to send you a copy now if I had not heard Owen (on Monday) make a remark very much to the same purpose. The Pamphlet was only in circulation for a short time. I found nobody seemed to care for what was said in it - & indeed I felt rather embarrassed at writing it - & I see that I have not expressed myself in a way that was likely to obtain attention. I wish some one, who is really eminent as a divine, would tell people these works of God are not to be despised, & that their study must be proceeded with, if we are to advance in understanding his word, beyond the crude notions which were entertained on some point connected with it in past generations

Believe me

Ever yours truly

J. S. Henslow