31 
have the preference, of course, and gentlemen are 
balloted for by the members. I was so fortunate as 
to be proposed, together with Mr. Engelhart, by his 
friend Sir William Forbes, and we were both ad- 
mitted; but great numbers were rejected: and above 
a hundred people who had got tickets could not get 
in. The room is most elegant, of an oval form. 
Iam very happy in the Miss Riddels acquaintance. 
I have dined there twice with some great people, 
and their brother Sir James; he behaved very po- 
litely to me: his lady is my aunt Kindersley’s friend, 
a literary lady. Sir James knows much of Norwich; 
is acquainted with Counsellor Chambers, Aldermen 
Harvey, Thurlow, Ives, the Morse family, and Dr. 
Manning, of whom he spoke much. 
We have had twelve days vacation; on Wednesday 
next the college meets again. I have been very 
much taken up with invitations, as this is a time of 
feasting ; though not so much so asin England. I 
was much surprised to see all the shops open on 
Christmas-day, which is not observed here at all, 
except by the church-of-England members, who 
have a most beautiful chapel here, where they per- 
form cathedral service. 
I do not perceive that the better sort of people 
are less neat here than elsewhere. Iam sure in 
many places I visit, the most exquisite neatness is 
apparent. 
My friend Engelhart introduced me one night as 
a visiter to the Medical Society, of which he is 
president. 
My warmest prayers are offered up for a continil- 
