304 THE LAST SUMMERS AND WINTERS. 



of all humming-birds. It seems quite correct. I am glad 

 you are inclined to deal gently with me as concerns the 

 Trochilidce, in the matter of tima I have for several 

 weeks, with the exception of a rolling tide from the Royal 

 Society which I could not resist without being swept away, 

 been unable to do anything, or at least have left undone 

 whatever was not altogether imperative and unpostponable. 

 On Saturday forenoon I had an application from Professor 

 Fraser to know 'what progress I was making' with an 

 article on Professor Forbes's book on Norway for the 

 North British Review. I had to give a most lame account 

 of my proceedings, Dr Greville having borrowed the book, 

 and the article itself being not even ruminated upon during 

 (what to me of late have often been) the sleepless watches 

 of the night. Mr Fraser wishes the said article by the 

 first of March. I doubt if I can do it at all. But I must 

 undertake nothing else till I at least try." 



TO HIS DAUGHTER AND NIECE. 



"Princess Royal, Campbelltown, 

 Monday, \lth Sept. 1854. 



" My dearest Children, — I wrote a few hurried lines 

 from hence on Saturday, I think ; but really, on board 

 one does not always know whether head or heels are 

 uppermost, and the days of the week or month are of small 

 account. 



