58 THE EOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I. 



Lackington's. He had brought his valet, Aichner, with 

 him, and for me a maid, by the name of Anymeetle, both 

 Germans. I was to be presented to Lord and Lady Pal- 

 merston, Sir Charles Blagden, Sir "William Pepperell and 

 family (Americans), and other of his friends. 



My father was often at the Royal Society, and intimate 

 with its president, Sir Joseph Banks. I would be invited 

 to the dinners Sir Joseph gave to the select ones of his 

 royal learned Society. Through the kindness and civility 

 of Lady and Miss Banks, his wife and sister, I several 

 times found myself one of their party. Lady Banks was 

 so kind, and> most likely out of civility to rny father, she 

 would allow me to be with her for days together, taking 

 me about with her, letting me see things in short, trying 

 to amuse me. I recollect she took me to a Lord Mayor's 

 ball, where I saw the princes and royal family for the first 

 time. As may be supposed, the select dinners of the Royal 

 Society were highly interesting, and where, I think, ladies 

 were seldom or never admitted. I was allowed to accom- 

 pany Lady and Miss Banks as a mere nobody ; but this 

 did not prevent my making observations which never have 

 been and never will be forgotten. The idea of very 

 learned people suggests that of pedantry. At these dinners 

 there was nothing of the kind, differing only from other 

 refined societies when remarks were made to convey 

 perhaps new ideas, discoveries, or highly entertaining 

 instruction, sometimes there being no such talk at all. 



The daughter wrote to Mrs. Baldwin in America, 

 June 13, 1796: 



We should have been gone long before this time to 

 Germany if some business had not called my father to 

 Ireland. 



I enjoy very good health, and am very happy. I should 

 think it strange if I were not to be. I am indulged in 

 everything I wish, and I am under the protection of a 



