Other Non-Fiction Lyell, Charles: Travels in North America, v1, 29 Mar 2011

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This epub consists of the two first edition volumes published by John Murray, London, in 1845, together with a 1846 Scottish review of the book. Sources for the texts were Google Books.

His most famous work, 'Principles of Geology' was first published in three volumes between 1830 and 1833. It has been referred to as one of the most important geological books ever published and did much to put geology on a modern footing.

Shortly after finishing the 6th edition of his 'Principles', in 3 volumes, and the 2nd edition of 'Elements of Geology', 2 volumes, Lyell set sail with his wife in July, 1841, for North America. They arrived at Halifax and immediately began their travels in the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia. He was highly impressed with the vast coal resources of the United States, and the vast swamps that he believed were analogous to the coal swamps of the Carboniferous time, and with Niagara Falls that he visited twice during his travels. In addition to his travels, he gave a series of very well-attended lectures in Boston for the Lowell Institute and in Philadelphia. He estimated he and his wife traveled over 2500 miles by stage-coach, rail, steam-boat, and carriages during their 13 month visit.

The Lyells then returned to London, where he began to write about his travels. Published in 1845, 'Travels in North America. shows his interest in people and political conditions that Lyell had not previously displayed in past works. As with many English visitors to the United States in the 1840's he strongly believed in the evils of slavery that he observed in his travels through the southern states, and that reforms were urgently needed. Lyell also used his book, in the last chapter of Volume I, to emphasize the pressing need for widespread reforms of universities throughout England.

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