Decline of Cumber land Wrestling. 225 



severed, going over the whole surface of 

 London on foot, and entering as many as 

 thirty drapers' shops in a day, always with 

 the same result. My second Sunday in 

 London now came round, and I began to 

 realise its loneliness and solitude. Every 

 house looked black at me, and every door 

 was closed. I thought it almost heartless 

 that multitudes should be going about on 

 their errands of worship or enjoyment with- 

 out taking any notice of me. To those who 

 are friendless, London is the most solitary 

 place in the world. Soon I began the next 

 week, but no better success attended me. 

 At last I was in despair, and resolved to go 

 out to America. I called at Swan and 

 Edgar's, in Piccadilly, and told a young man 

 there, whom I had spoken to before, that I 

 was going to take my passage. He then 

 informed me that Mr. Ray, of Messrs. Flint, 

 Ray & Co., of Grafton House, Soho Square, 

 had sent to inquire if anyone knew my 

 address. Mr. Ray had himself come from 

 Cumberland, and was the son of a Cumber- 

 land 'statesman.' He knew my father's 

 family, and wished to befriend me. I flew 

 15 



