266 SIR WILLIAM EAMSAY 



even the coins and numerals, and the cab fares had to 

 be settled by holding out a handful of money and 

 leaving it to the cab-driver to choose. 



By next morning Ramsay had learned enough Finnish 

 to tackle such questions and also to make a few pleasant 

 remarks, though the answers for the most part were 

 beyond him. The day in Tammerfors was spent in 

 visiting woodyards and paper-mills connected with the 

 great industries of Finland, and also the new church, 

 the latest thing in Scandinavian architecture and decora- 

 tion. In the afternoon the party, largely augmented 

 by more members of the connection, went a steamer 

 excursion on the lake. This was the only one of the 

 chain of inland lakes the Ramsays saw, and the trip had 

 to be a short one as they were to return to Helsingfors 

 that night. 



The other days of the stay were spent in yachting 

 and visiting the homes on the islands. Mr. Auguste 

 Ramsay, who had planned everything, was kindness 

 itself, and the Ramsays spent much time with him and 

 his family. There they met Professor Wilhelm Ramsay, 

 whose name had been the medium of introduction 

 between the two branches. They also spent a day 

 with old Mrs. Ramsay, his mother, a woman of excep- 

 tional charm and with the remains of great beauty. 

 It was she who had found cannon balls striking her 

 house " really disagreeable." It was at her house that 

 the Ramsays met General Schaumann and his wife, 

 one of her daughters. He was a sad-faced man, much 



