Hitcham, Bildeston, Suffolk
3 Feb 1860
Dr Sir
Private
I have delayed this communication partly thro' want of time for preparing it earlier, & partly because I wished to learn more about what had been done. I have got M. Perthes book, & visited Mr Evans & have corresponded with others - & the more I reflect upon the subject the more I feel convinced there is no geological necessity for supposing the drift in which the Celts are found to be of such vast antiquity as some persons are inclined (predisposed?) to imagine. The remarks I have made may possibly direct attention to like facts elsewhere, & facts cannot be too much multiplied before drawing conclusions.
I hear from Lady Cullum that Mr Puttock (who sold the supposed Milton autographs) has been to Hardwicke expressly to compare the copies with her originals, & has expressed himself satisfied that he was under an error when he sold them (for 42£!) to an American gentleman. Lady C. says she thinks some notice should be taken of this, & if you like I will obtain full particulars from her & send you a notice for the Athenaeum. Or would you like to refer to Mr Puttock himself & ascertain how the matter has been arranged between the American gentleman & Miss Turner the Executress
Yrs faithfully
J. S. Henslow
Please cite as “HENSLOW-1423,” in Ɛpsilon: The Correspondence of John Stevens Henslow accessed on