LECTURES AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. 169 



even less flattering than those applied to her pre- 

 decessor at Coventry. " Sulky and peppery female," 

 I read in the ledger; "regular Xantippe, so gave her 

 no tip." 



The three Rugby lectures were the first of a school 

 course of six, the remaining three being given upon the 

 first three Thursdays in March. In that month also 

 came engagements at Yarlet Hall, near Stafford (2), 

 Uppingham School (2), and Ascot. In April one 

 regular lecture only was delivered, on the 27th, at 

 Tollbridge Grammar School. Three engagements fol- 

 lowed in May, at Yarlet Hall (2), and at Ascot again ; 

 while June was more busy. For in this month, besides 

 single engagements at Chislehurst, and one or two small 

 schools, began a long course of lectures at the Crystal 

 Palace, which were continued at intervals until the 

 middle of September. Unfortunately, the hour selected 

 (11.30 a.m.) was so early as to preclude visitors from a 

 distance from attending these lectures, but the season- 

 ticket holders and other inhabitants of the neigh- 

 bourhood came in considerable numbers, and the series 

 was very successful. While this course was still in 

 progress my father received the following letter from 

 the then manager : 



CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY, 



CRYSTAL PALACE, S.E. 

 DEAR MR. WOOD, 



I have much pleasure in stating that the Sketch-Lectures 

 which you are now delivering at the Crystal Palace have attracted 

 great attention, and seem to be as instructive as interesting. 



