270 Life of Count Rumford. 



reconcile as we may the ardent expressions of the 

 father's affection for his daughter in his letters with 

 her own disclosures of the occasional severity of his 

 discipline. 



It was in very hot weather, probably in the last of 

 July or early in August, 1796, that they left England, 

 compelled to make a circuitous course to enter Ger- 

 many. 



The daughter describes the leave-taking from friends 

 on the eve of quitting London. The carriage which 

 the Count had brought with him from Munich being 

 too small for the party, he was obliged to procure a 

 second one. This, having belonged to a duke, still 

 bore his arms, and there was no time to allow for re- 

 painting. The party arrived at Hamburg on the third 

 day, after a boisterous passage, being obliged to take 

 that route on account of the war. 



The armorial bearings on one of their carriages 

 proved to be a great annoyance to them, as visiting 

 upon them the tax of greatness. The Count wished 

 but five post-horses to be attached to the carriage. The 

 post-master insisted upon his starting with eight ; and 

 the same number used in starting would be required at 

 every change and relay along the route. The parties 

 were equally obstinate ; the official removed the five 

 horses, and the Count and his valet wet}t to seek 

 others, or redress. Pending the issue, the daughter was 

 left in one of the carriages, and her maid in the other, 

 in one of the most crowded streets of Hamburg. The 

 Continent being then ablaze with war, -this bustling 

 city was neutral. The young lady and her maid, 

 wearied, sea-worn, and craving rest and refreshment, 

 which could not easily be found where all houses of 



