SOCIAL LIFE 187 



consented, and found the occupation very agreeable, 

 for it put me into pleasant communication with many 

 whom it was a privilege to know, but excision was 

 often an unwelcome duty. Thus among the many 

 contributions offered for one of the volumes, I had 

 thirteen separate descriptions of sea-sickness. The 

 venture paid its way, but no more, and was dis- 

 continued after the third volume. 



A total eclipse visible in Spain occurred on July 18, 

 1860, and the Government lent their magnificent 

 transport the Himalaya to those who were selected 

 to observe it, by and under the leadership of the then 

 Astronomer- Royal, Mr., afterwards Sir George, Airy 

 (1801-1892). I applied, and was granted permission 

 to join. We went with great comfort and speed, first 

 to Bilbao, where small parties, of whom mine of four 

 persons was one, were landed. The rest went on to 

 Santander. 



Careful preparations had been made in Spain for 

 our comfort, as few of us knew a word of the language, 

 and serious obstructions due to intolerance might 

 otherwise have occurred for want of timely explanation. 

 These excellent arrangements were entirely due to 

 the forethought of Mr. Vignolles, a famous contractor 

 for railways, who was then occupied with those of 

 Spain. One of his many subordinates was allotted 

 as interpreter to each small party ; ours proved to be 

 a most agreeable guide and informant. The position 

 allotted to our party was in the neighbourhood of 

 Logroiio, whither we proceeded at once in order to 

 study the neighbourhood and to select a suitable spot. 

 This was quickly found on a picturesque hill called 

 La Guardia, crowned with a convent and village, 



