ROBERT POCOCK. 41 



" In the course of this day the young lady called from 

 the Orkneys who sent me the drawing of the 

 wonderful sea snake which came on shore at Stronsa. 

 What would Pontophidan have given for such ! Greatly 

 disappointed and vexed that I was not at home to 

 receive her, as she is a bonny girl not a bony girl, 

 but a bonnie girl. What can I do for such a kind 

 female, who exposed herself to inclemency and danger 

 to visit a distant island to gratify my request ? Why^ 

 send her some books to pass her hours in the dreary 

 winter. I have so done, and through fraud they never 

 reached her hands. Then send her some grapes, for 

 out of 404 bunches surely a few may be spared, and 

 grapes at the Orkneys are nearly as rare as sea snakes. 



" Thursday, September 12th. Had a large green 

 grasshopper brought me. Saw the newspaper with an 

 account of the comet by Capel Loft, who supposed it 

 to be fast approaching to Ursa Minor ; but I am not 

 of that opinion, as it tends more to the tail of Ursa 

 Major. At four p.m. set off for London, not in a balloon, 

 but in a swift bird, the Petrel, which flew withme to that 

 stinking place called Billingsgate, which I could not quit 

 so soon as I wished. Heard a boat had gone through 

 bridge, and carried away mast. Had a glimpse of 

 the comet. Just before I arrived a mad dog bit a 

 man (September 10th) and an old woman. The father 

 of the boy sent to Birling directly for that never-failing 

 remedy. 



" Friday, September 13th. Peeped into the auction 

 mart not fond of the last-named place. Met with the 

 City Solicitor, and had some discourse on a boundary- 

 stone of the City, which I had discovered. Went to 

 Margaret Street to see a friend just arrived from East 



