74 Alexander Goodman More. [i8o5 



CHAPTER XI. 



VISIT TO LONDON. 



[NOV. 1855.] 



THE visit to London, which extended over November, was 

 in some sense an epoch in his life, since it brought him 

 the acquaintance of so many leading men of science, and 

 especially that of the two eminent zoologists, William 

 Yarrell and Thomas Bell. 



" November 2nd. Friday an unlucky day in popular 

 estimation, but to me * albi lapidis,' since I found myself 

 one morning in converse with Bell, and in chat with 

 Yarrell. To Dr. Bell Salter I owe it no slight debt, when 

 added to my friendship with Babington, also first opened 

 by his introduction. Early breakfast, early start, and by 

 the spell of omnibus I found myself landed near the Bank, 

 and following up the scent, begging my way in old Broad- 

 street. By thus anticipating the vexed spirits,* I found 

 Mr. Bell disengaged and the torture-relieving chamber 

 empty. Enters a gentleman of winning aspect, courteous 

 demeanour, and gentle tone of voice ; a kindly spirit looks 

 through his eye. We launched at once into seal-hunting, 

 quadrupedal questions, Evans's humorous letters and 

 sporting adventures. ... I was delighted with the man 

 and his reception of a young aspirant. Ecce, I shall dine 

 at the Linnsean Club, the focus and warm hearth of 

 science." 



"After leaving Mr. Bell's, . . . walk to London Bridge, 

 past the not-mournful shades into a steamer, inde West- 

 minster Bridge receives the interested traveller ; cross the 

 James Park gravelling; down Pall Mall, up St. James- 

 street, till I discovered in an unpretending quiet corner 

 house in Ryde-street the abode of concentrated British 

 Ornithology the residence Yarrellian. Two minutes, and 



* Mr. Bell was a dentist. 



