. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 1G7 



whom I found M. Boissier, a Swiss botanist whom I 

 had often seen at the Garden, and also August St. 

 Hilaire, 1 who returned but a few days since from 

 Montpellier. 



On reaching my room at half past ten, I found a 

 note from Mr. Webb, saying that M. Spach had a 

 message for me from Mirbel, and asking me to call if 

 I had time ; went immediately, but was too late ; 

 Webb had gone to bed. Returned, arranged ac- 

 counts, etc., and went to bed myself. 



To-day I have been, if possible, still more busy ; at 

 least I have accomplished more, though I made a bad 

 beginning. The concierge promised to call me at 

 eight, but I awoke myself at nine. Consequently it 

 was past ten before I made my first call, which was 

 upon Mr. Webb, to know when I was to see Mirbel. 

 I called next upon Dr. Montagne to get a letter to the 

 chief curator of the Bibliotheque du Roi, which should 

 afford me the opportunity of seeing this, the largest 

 library in the world, on a private day, namely, Mon- 

 day, the only public day while I stay being Friday, 

 when I have something else to do. Eh bien. I went 

 next to the Louvre, and saw the other and best half of 

 that most magnificent gallery, my passport giving me 

 a ready admittance. . . . Suffice it to say I saw very 

 much to admire some things that I greatly admired 

 very much I did not allow myself time enough to be- 

 come interested in, as well as many works of the old 

 fellows that one likes to say he has seen. . . . Again in 

 a cabriolet to the Ecole de Medecine ; looked through 

 the museum, which was to-day open to the public ; saw 



1 Augnste de St. Hilaire, 1779-1853. Accompanied the Duke of 

 Luxembourg 1 on his voyage to Brazil, where he spent six years, and 

 published a Flora of Brazil, 1825, and many other works. 



