THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS I15 



amount by begging, or perhaps even stealing; failing to 

 obtain this they are cruelly punished on their return home, 

 and the tricks they resort to, to gain their ends, are num- 

 berless and curious. The newspapers abound with such 

 accounts, and are besides filled with histories of murders, 

 thefts, hangings, and other abominable acts ; I can scarce 

 look at them. 



August 19. Dined with Mr. A. Melly in Grenville St. 

 The dinner was quite a la frangaise, all gayety, witticism, 

 and good cheer. The game, however, was what I call 

 highly tainted, the true flavor for the lords of England. 



August 21. I painted many hours this day, finished my 

 Otter; it was viewed by many and admired. I was again 

 invited to remove to Green Bank, but declined until I have 

 painted the Wild Turkey cock for the Royal Institution, 

 say three days more. 



September 4.. Having been too busy to write for many 

 days, I can only relate the principal facts that have taken 

 place. I have been to two very notable suppers, one at Dr. 

 Traill's in company with the French consul and two other 

 French gentlemen; I was much encouraged, and urged to 

 visit France at once. The other at the house of Mr. Moli- 

 neux ; there indeed my ears were feasted; such entertaining 

 conversation, such delightful music; Mr. Clementi^ and 

 Mr. Tomlinson from London were present. Many persons 

 came to my painting room, they wonder at the rapidity of 

 my work and that I can paint fourteen hours without 

 fatigue. My Turkeys are now framed, and hung at the 

 Institution which is open daily, and paying well. I have 

 made many small drawings for different friends. All my 

 Sundays are alike, — breakfast with Mr. Melly, church with 

 the blind, dinner with Mr. Roscoe. Every one is surprised 

 at my habits of early rising, and at my rarely touching 

 meat, except game. 



^ Muzio Clementi, composer and pianist, bom in Rome, 1752, died in Lon- 

 don, 1S32. Head of the piano firm of that name. 



