HOUSE OF COMMONS. 297 



a more spiritual kind than is usual in metaphysics, is also 

 a candidate. I cannot but wish him well, as I am sure 

 he would do justice to the chair; but ' blood is thicker 

 than water,' and as my nephew is regarded by Sir William 

 Hamilton, and other leaders in mental philosophy, as one 

 of the most distinguished metaphysicians produced in 

 these days, I don't think we shall be taking the wrong 

 sow by the ear in doing what we can to serve him." 



In June 1853, he was called to give evidence before a 

 committee of the House of Commons, as to the probable 

 effect which the supplying of Glasgow with water from 

 Loch Lubnaio- would exert on the salmon-fi siring of the 

 rivers into which its waters are discharged. From this 

 examination he came out with highest honours, and, as he 

 himself alleged, with the degree of " senior (wr)angler." 



TO MISS TAYLOR. 



" Craven Hotel, Strand, 

 4th June 1853. 



"My deae Child, — I hope you have more time to 

 read letters than I have to write them. The former pro- 

 cess is sometimes a more arduous task than the latter. 



"Witness the caligraphy of my beloved . How her 



pen slides away like a shrimp in the sand, leaving lines 

 scarcely less legible. When I hear from her, I satisfy my 



