Page:Great Neapolitan Earthquake of 1857.djvu/21

Rh just presented. It is one so rare, and in so peculiar and suggestive a region, that I venture to urge, through your Lordship, the Royal Society, that it should not be permitted to be lost to Science. To avoid this, however, the examination must be made with all possible promptitude, as every hour alters or removes the characters of the terrible inscription which we are to decipher, and renders circumstantial, local, and oral evidence less trustworthy.

"I respectfully offer, my Lord, if such be the will of the Royal Society, to proceed at once to Naples and the shaken regions, to collect, discuss, and report the facts. I am prepared to devote a month or five weeks to the inquiry, which, allowing ten days to the journey, to and from the city of Naples, I deem sufficient, if energetically and well employed.

"Were I a wealthy man I should proceed instantly, and on my own responsibility; but, although willing to give one-twelfth of my professional time and income for 1858 to it, private duties make it unsuitable that I should also be at the necessary expenditure for the journey and local inquiry. "For this a sum of about One Hundred and Fifty Pounds would, I consider, be required, as the aid of local assistants, interpreters, with the peasantry, and the means of rapidly moving in remote and little frequented places (such as Basilicata), with other accessory charges, must be provided for. The best maps and all requisite instruments I am prepared with.

"In the humble but earnest confidence that I can in this do good service to Science, I submit to the Royal