202 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



hear that Lord Nelson has destroyed the French and Span 

 ish fleets 



* 



TO TUTOR J. L. KINGSLEY. 



LONDON, July 26, 1805. 

 16 Margaret Street, Cavendish Square. 



You judge correctly that a multitude of inter 

 esting objects now crowd upon me on every side. It is 

 so indeed. I am very industrious in exploring the metrop 

 olis, but it is such a world of men and things that the most 

 a stranger can expect to do is to make a judicious selection 

 from a whole wilderness of curiosities. I have already seen 

 much, and am now so familiar with London that I go every 

 where by night or by day, and generally without embarrass 

 ment. You may rely upon it, I shall take great pleasure 

 in satisfying the curiosity which you express, as far as it is 

 in my power. My only fear is that my information will not 

 fie equal to your expectations. I have it in contemplation 

 to go on to the Continent early in the month of September. 

 I want a good companion who speaks French well, and this 

 I have some prospect of obtaining. I shall probably re 

 turn to England by the beginning of November, and then 

 fix down for the winter, either in London or Edinburgh. I 

 still speak with uncertainty. 



I do not think it worth while to fill my letters with my 

 views of England ; they are recorded every day in my jour 

 nal, and if I am so happy as to return in safety, / will talk 

 you to death if you wish it. I could say very little in the 

 compass of a letter if I were to attempt a description of 

 anything. I will just say, however, that I went the other 

 day to see the garret where Goldsmith in his days of poetry 

 and poverty used to live. It is small and low, and lighted 

 through the roof with one window, set with the old-fash 

 ioned diamond glass in lead frames. 



Remember me particularly to our friend Mr. Stuart, and 

 tell him for me, that should he be settled according to the 



