106 LIFE OF HORACE BENEDICT DE SAUSSURE 



a prudent coquette, but now only intent on pleasing her lover, and 

 resolved to spend in the country all the time he is away. The youngest, 

 a Methodist devote, delighted to pass two or three years in the 

 country with her sister and live out of the world. The mother, a 

 good-natured little woman, talking politics. As Banks cannot speak 

 a word of French, I could not judge of his abilities. [De Saussure 

 apparently at this time could understand, but had great difficulty in 

 speaking, English.] He seems to have a prodigious zest for natural 

 history. I supped there with him and Dr. Solander, who is also start- 

 ing with him for Isle St. George. They will work on natural history. 

 They have an astronomer for the passage of Venus, a draughtsman, 

 all the instruments, books, and appliances possible ; after observing 

 the passage they will endeavour to make discoveries in the Southern 

 Ocean and return by the East Indies. Miss Blosset, not knowing that 

 he was to start next day, was quite gay. Banks drank freely to hide 

 his feelings. He promised to come and see me at Geneva and bring 

 me some curios. We were charmed to have made acquaintance with 

 this family, and I particularly to have seen before his departure a 

 remarkable man.' 



' 16th August. 



' Went with Turton to look for M. 1'Espinasse in Greek Street. 

 We did not find him, but found at the Museum Dr. Matey, friendly, 

 playing the agreeable, a stout little man : he greeted me cordially 

 and promised me the run of the Museum . . . dined with Turton and 

 Pictet on a fine piece of venison sent by Mrs. Blosset, went afterwards 

 with Miss Blosset to Ranelagh. I was much astonished at this fine 

 circular hall, admirably lit, with a great column in the centre, boxes 

 all round, good music with the best singers from the opera, a large 

 company promenading, listening to the music, or sitting down and 

 taking tea, some in the boxes and others at the tables round the 

 column, numbers of pretty girls.' 



' llth August. 



1 Rose early, studied English, visit from Lord Palmerston, who 

 suggests we should go to York to see the races and return by Derby- 

 shire. Called on the Misses Blosset, arranged for the theatre and ball, 

 dined with Turton and the Misses Blosset and left my wife to dine 

 alone and dress her hair at our lodgings. Went with Turton to the 

 theatre to see The Suspicious Husband, in which, in honour of the King 

 of Denmark, Garrick played Ranger, a part too young for him, but 

 which he played as faithfully and agreeably as possible. The other 

 actors also were very good. I enjoyed myself greatly. The short 



