A Godchild. 271 



letter ; it makes me long to be with you, and, please God, 

 I shall be so before long, as I set off this day fortnight. . 



Wednetday. 



Yesterday I had a great deal of scientific talk with 

 Sir John, and a long walk in the grounds which are 

 extensive, and very pretty. Then the Airys arrived, and 



we had a large party at dinner I think, now, 



as I always have done, that Sir John is by much the 

 highest and finest character I have ever met with ; the 

 most gentlemanly and polished mind, combined with the 

 most exalted morality, and the utmost of human attain- 

 ment. His view of everything is philosophic, and at the 

 same time highly poetical, in short, he combines every 

 quality that is admirable and excellent with the most 

 charming modesty, and Lady Herschel is quite worthy of 

 such a husband, which is the greatest praise I can give 

 her. Their kindness and affection for me has been un- 

 bounded. Lady H. told me she heard such praises of you 

 two that she is anxious to know you, and she hopes you 

 will always look upon her and her family as friends. The 

 christening went off as well as possible. Mr. Airy was 

 godfather, and Mrs. Airy and I godmothers, but I had 

 the naming of the child Matilda Eose, after Lady 

 Herschel's sister. I assure you I was quite adroit in 

 taking the baby from the nurse and giving her to the 

 clergyman. Sir John took Mrs. Airy and me a drive to see 

 a very fine picturesque castle a few miles off. ... I have 

 got loads of things for experiments on light from Sir John 

 with a variety of papers, and you may believe that I have 

 profited not a little by his conversation, and have a thou- 

 sand projects for study and writing, so I think painting 

 will be at a standstill, only that I have promised to paint 



