274 Dr Munckes Remarks on an Account of the 



more interest for scientific objects than I did expect ; and when 

 the first modest restraint was broken, then I discovered a much 

 greater portion of general knowledge amongst the men (and in 

 several instances even among the ladies,) than might have been 

 anticipated from mere mercantile and ordinary education. Not 

 having been myself at Hamburgh before the last meeting, nor 

 being connected by relationship or other ties to its inmates, I 

 consequently could not have any claim of preference ; and I do 

 trust I may be deemed an impartial observer on that account. 

 Let it, however, be considered at the same time, that, if not all 

 the members of the convention there assembled had the good 

 luck to be introduced in society, it was owing to the nature and 

 character of such a large meeting, of which all the members 

 present could not possibly be of a distinguished or known repu- 

 tation, otherwise the number of first-rate literati of Germany 

 would be enormous, as those congregated at Hamburgh did not 

 constitute the tenth part of the whole. 



In private societies, as well as generally, it was not difficult 

 to observe that the better class were not ignorant of the scienti- 

 fic purport of the meetings of naturalists, which they had even 

 been long acquainted with from former meetings in other towns 

 of Germany, and of course the invitation on the part of the se- 

 nate and the citizens, could otherwise not have taken place ; and 

 the many absurd observations Mr Johnston reports from hear- 

 say (v. 208-210,) are, generally speaking, void of foundation, 

 and as unbecoming and unfit to be introduced in a report of 

 that description, as it would be credulous to give credit to them. 

 It is possible that Mr Johnston or his faithful reporter may 

 have heard something similar from some fat*, or idler; but 



" I hope I may be excused to make use of a French term here, which, 

 however, in this instance, is the most expressive for the sort of character I 

 meant to describe, and of which, as cannot be unknown to J\Ir Johnston, 

 many are to be found at all times of the day in and about the Alster Pa- 

 villion, and even out of change-hours at the Boersen-Halle, (not Boursen- 

 Ilalle, as Mr Johnston, (probably also from false reports,) repeatedly calls 

 that establishment,) sipping their coffee, and puffing their segars, and ready 

 to give and receive all sort of scandal, small talk, and anecdote. Such places 

 of resort are most convenient to isolated strangers, but their stationary in- 

 ruatesvery bad channels of information, even worse than valets de place, who 

 are at least useful to persons who are unacquainted with the locality of a 

 town, and strangers to thelanguage. An honestvalet Jt place would have told 

 Mr Johnston that the entrance-money to Air Bauer's garden, since its ad- 



