102 LORD LILFORD 



us a visit on board soon for a few days ? We 

 should be most happy to see you, and can offer 

 you a good berth. We have a small trawl net, 

 and plenty of lines.' 



To the same. 



' Toulon : December 21, 1873. 



* It seems an enormous time since we 

 arrived here, as we only stayed four days in 

 Paris and two nights in Marseilles. The yacht 

 had a fearful passage and was weather-bound 

 in Port Mahon for about ten days ; she only 

 arrived here this day week, and has had to go 

 into dock for repairs. In the meantime, I have 

 had a sharpish attack of the enemy, and 

 though now much better I fear that I shall be 

 too crippled to do any good in natural history 

 for a long time. Our two elder boys arrived 

 here from school yesterday, and are very well. 

 During the week or so before I was attacked 

 with gout we drove about the country a good 

 deal, and I don't think I ever saw any place so 

 entirely devoid of bird life ; there are, it is true, 

 a good many gulls in the harbour, but inland 

 one sees nothing but a very few sparrows and 



