172 THE LIFE OF JAMES D. FORBES. [CHAP. 



this morning. We have Baron Etfingshausen on Etna, 

 and Leopold von Buch in the Geological Section. I got 

 a very cordial reception from the old geologist, which 

 was no doubt.partly owing to my having warmly espoused 

 the Elevation theory, magnified Elie de Beaumont, and 

 defended the claim of his countryman Ettingshausen. I 

 am happy to tell you that in all quarters I have been so 

 kindly, I may say warmly, received. We have the Arch- 

 deacons Wilberforce, the Vernon Harcourts, and many 

 other pleasant York acquaintances. I do regret most 

 deeply that you could not come, you would have seen so 

 much in a short time. I am very happy that sweet baby 

 is so merry, but I fear the little monkey has a short 

 memory for her friends, she seems to forget them all 

 as fast as anything even poor nurse ; what can papa 

 expect ? ' 



'CAMBRIDGE, Saturday. 



' Yesterday we dined at Trinity Lodge. I sat beside Von 

 Buch, which was the greatest fun ; he spoke so kindly of 

 my book and map, and told me a great deal of gossip so 

 pleasantly and amusingly. To my infinite amusement, 

 he told me his side of the story of the discussion with 

 Charpentier at the Monte San Primo, which you recol- 

 lect was so graphically told in our old friend's last letter. 



* In the evening there was a most brilliant party in 

 the Master's rooms, which are really splendid. Lady 

 Herschel did not come, which I regret ; perhaps I 

 may meet her at the Dean of Ely's next week. My 

 old and good friends the Vernon Harcourts were there, 

 and Miss Harcourt, who gave me a most kind invitation 

 to the Archbishop's place at Nuneham, near Oxford, but 

 which I declined. Wilberforce, the new Dean of West- 

 minster, is a very taking person ; he has been most kind 

 to me, and I had a hearty greeting from old Sir Kobert 

 Inglis. Kiss dear babe many times for me. . . . 



1 Sunday, June 22nd, 1845. To-day, Sunday, is a 

 real day of rest, so quiet and still. It is a mile and 

 a half from Cambridge. We go into Trinity to hear 

 the Dean of Westminster preach.' 



