92 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. -CHAP. V. 



which he returned after the very uncomfortable winter we 

 shared together before." 



During the three weeks of this visit the brothers spent as 

 much as possible of the time together, George going out 

 " only to look after something to do, striving to get wriggled 

 into some corner, however small, with the hopes of getting 

 a bigger hole thereafter." 



Having learned at Birmingham that a college of civil 

 engineers was about to be formed in London, he made 

 inquiries about it, but found it offered no post suitable for 

 him. Other attempts fared no better. Wandering for three 

 days in search of Professor Daniel of King's College, to 

 whom he had an introduction, was at last repaid by the 

 pleasure of a warm and courteous reception. The long de- 

 sired introduction to Faraday was also enjoyed, and of a 

 visit by appointment to him George says, u Faraday was 

 very kind ; showed me his whole laboratory with labours 

 going on, and talked frankly and kindly ; but to the usual 

 question of something to do, gave the usual round O answer, 

 and treated me to a just, but not very cheering animadver- 

 sion on the Government of this country, which, unlike that 

 of every other civilized country, will give no help to 

 scientific inquiry, and will afford no aid or means of study 

 for young chemists ; all my efforts, therefore, have been un- 

 successful. This Fog- Babylon will have none of me, casts 

 me out of her bosom and drives me home again ; so I am 

 not only attracted to you by ties innumerable, but I am im- 

 pelled towards you by repulsions innumerable, and with the 

 best grace I can put on the matter, will be quickly back 

 among you." 



In the close of October, after alluding to troubles pressing 

 heavily on the family circle, in reference to which he says, 



