185(5. PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. 441 



the request of the Director, who though an extraordinary 

 genius, and in truth, the only person in the world who knows 

 aught about a wonderful science called Tech-Knowledgy, is as 

 ignorant of the price of Curling Stones as that of Curling irons 

 or Curl-papers, and understanding from me, that you are very 

 learned about them (not the curl-paper or the curling irons, 

 dear madam, but the curling stones), and that you have a nephew 

 called, if I caught the name aright, Professor Neavn, also very 

 learned concerning the said stones has requested me to ask 

 your ladyship's, and your ladyship's nephew's advice about 

 purchasing the stones. 



" In a word, is it a large, a small, or a medium price to pay ? 

 Please to signify by your own esteemed (I would like to say 

 beloved) hand, or that of your respected nephew, what the price 

 of curling stones is, that I may decide, before leaving, about the 

 black granite ones. 



" Mother, Jessie, two little parrots sent us from Australia, 

 the Director, the Professor, the gig, the horse, the driver, and / 

 are here, and those of Us that are well, are well, and those of us 

 that are not, are not. . . . Your (I was going to say dearly lov- 

 ing) obedient, humble servant, GEORGE WILSON." 



In a Museum letter of the same semidemisemi- official kind, 

 the following passage occurs : " I have just discovered that I 

 have taken two sheets instead of one. Don't make this known 

 to Government, or they'll hang me in a noose of red tape, as a 

 warning to all wasters of public property. I try your ingenuity 

 in endeavouring to show my desire for economy. Eead the 

 pages according to the Eule of Three. If that does not succeed, 

 try them upside down ; if no sense comes of that, ^ve up the 

 perusal." 



Besides making purchases, he had a " begging cap, which," he 

 says, " since I was made Director of this Museum, I have in- 

 dustriously (and industrially) worn." No one was safe from the 

 begging cap, yet no one grumbled at the beggar, but rather 

 encouraged him to continue to wear it, and by its successes to 

 minister to industrial progress and happiness. 



On returning to town he reports all as " much the better of 



