1860-1869] The Royal Society Soiree 185 



Society, where assemble all the scientific men in London. 

 He saw every one of his old friends, and had such a cordial 

 reception from them all as made it very pleasant. He was 

 obliged to name himself to almost all of them, as his beard 

 alters him so much. The President presented him to the 

 Prince of Wales. There were only three presented, and he 

 was the first. The Prince looked a nice good-natured youth, 

 and very gentlemanlike. He said something Charles could 

 not hear, so he made the profoundest bow he could and 

 went on. His Dr, Bence Jones, was there, and received 

 him with triumph, as well he might, it being his own doing. 

 My event was nearly as wonderful, going to see Hamlet 

 with Fechter. The acting was beautiful, but I should 

 prefer anything to Shakespeare, I am ashamed to say. 



Yesterday Eliz. charitably went with me to see poor 

 mad Miss P. 1 We liked the Matron much . . . Dr B. J. is to 

 do me some good too. I am to drive every day, and Charles 



Good bye, my dear, this is but a scrap. 



Yours, E. D. 



Emma Darwin to Tier daughter Henrietta at Cimiez. 



[LONDON], May 4 [1866]. 



. . . Now for news. Monday I drove about and did one 

 set of pictures, which is staring unwholesome work, and did 

 not suit either of our heads, and a little shopping. In the 

 evening Aunt Eliz. and Carry picked me up for the Philhar- 

 monic. It was our dear old G minor Mozart, and very 

 charming, and we used to play it quite fast enough (and 

 very well) and gave it quite the right air. A Mile Mehlig 

 played the P. F. in Arabella [Goddard]'s style, but more 

 beautifully, and I enjoyed it much. Singing hideous, 

 Mile Sinico sang Vedrai Carino as slow as a Psalm tune and 

 as loud as she could. Papa was pretty well done up, and 

 the day before had seen Grove and Lyell. He had a nice 

 evening with Uncle Has, who has been so nice and cordial, 

 asking us to come again. . . . 



1 A former governess. 



