Lyell tells Mallet that political impediments must be overcome to carry through his project of geologizing in the area of Naples, Italy. Transcription Show moreLyell tells Mallet that political impediments must be overcome to carry through his project of geologizing in the area of Naples, Italy. Transcription: " 53 Harley St. London [] 4.[] My dear sir I have spoken with the Pres. + with a member of the Council in favour of your proposition provided you can get Government countenance + help, I have said all I can. The difficulties must be looked in the face. Time is of no value in the eyes of Neapoli- tenas. To get competent ------------ interpreters no easy matter. The first idea to be overcome is to show that you do not go to produce a political [] -quarter of which they, the authorities, live in dread. I was advised when there a month ago [] to attempt to geologize south of Naples because of the state of the country, but I suspect that they alluded to Calabria. S. of where you would have to go. Difficulties may disappear when boldly confronted but I fear official + po- litical impediments where time is so limited. However I think the object so good of one that I only state the obstacles in the hope of them being overcome. [] [] Cha [Leyell] R. Mallet Esq?" Letter, signed by sender. Written from 53 Harley St, London. The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts Show less
