14 ROBERT POCOCK. 



mate there existed the conviction that naturalists were 

 ever more welcome than relatives, that his humble abode 

 was rather a resort for all who had information to 

 impart or inquiries to make, than was consistent with 

 the economy of time and of money, and more profitable 

 pursuit of business, it would have been more natural 

 than strange or reprehensible. 



About the year 1800, Pocock appears to have made 

 a few manuscript notices in a little waste-book some 

 of which are subjoined, the very first of which seems 

 to disclose the existence of these occasional domestic 

 differences. 



His grandson, Dr. Jones (to whom an obligation is 

 due for much kind information), remembers that he 

 was very exact and methodical in his habits, but in- 

 clined to be strict with his family. His custom was to 

 rise early, and to take, whenever he could, long walks 

 and excursions with any naturalist whose company he 

 could secure, tendencies doubtless obnoxious, more or 

 less, to his wife, and little conducive to commercial 

 success. 



The following is one of the above-mentioned entries 

 supposed to be inscribed over Mr. Pocock's door : 



Want of unanimity. 



Here lives a young Pair 



Who lost the Flitch of Bacon 



Within the year. 



This was in 1800, and without wishing to adjudicate 

 between husband and wife the respective blame too 

 closely, the following letter from Mrs. Pocock to her 

 Lord, temporarily absent in London, is certainly more 

 matter-of-fact than redundant in terms of exuberant 

 wifely endearment : 



