RETURN VIA PARIS. 41 



and contributed to making William known there; but 

 it soon became clear to us that speculative inventions 

 are a very uncertain affair and only in very rare cases 

 lead to good results, unless supported by thorough 

 knowledge and ample means. 



To me personally the journey to England proved 

 very stimulating, and at the same time gave a more 

 earnest and critical direction to my further endeavours, 

 leading me to look rather at the solidity of my foun- 

 dations than at the hoped for result. This was still 

 more confirmed by my return journey through Paris, 

 where in the then flourishing time of the rule of Louis 

 Philippe the first great French Industrial Exhibition 

 was taking place. 



Unfortunately my stay in Paris was disturbed by 

 an unpleasant incident. I had intended to decide in 

 Brussels whether I should return by way of Paris or 

 by direct route, had arranged therefore with William 

 that he should send to Paris the money requisite for 

 the strengthening of my travelling budget, if I should 

 write him to that effect from Brussels. When I deci- 

 ded therefore to take the journey to Paris. I sent 

 with the request for money my Paris address and 

 entrusted the letter to the landlord of my hotel. 



Arriving in Paris . perched on the top of an 

 omnibus of the messageries generates after a two days 

 journey. I found the city in consequence of the Exhi- 

 bition filled to overflowing, and succeeded only with 

 difficulty in obtaining a small garret room on the 

 eighth floor of the hotel des messageries generates, in 



