

THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



115 



amount by begging, or perhaps even stealing; failing to 

 obtain this they are cruelly punished on their return home, 

 and the tricks they resort to, to gain their ends, are num- 

 berless and curious. The newspapers abound with such 

 accounts, and are besides filled with histories of murders, 

 thefts, hangings, and other abominable acts ; I can scarce 

 look at them. 



August 19. Dined with Mr. A. Melly in Grenville St. 

 The dinner was quite d, la frangaise, all gayety, witticism, 

 and good cheer. The game, however, was what I call 

 highly tainted, the true flavor for the lords of England. 



August 21. I painted many hours this day, finished my 

 Otter ; it was viewed by many and admired. I was again 

 invited to remove to Green Bank, but declined until I have 

 painted the Wild Turkey cock for the Royal Institution, 

 say three days more. 



September Jf. Having been too busy to write for many 

 days, I can only relate the principal facts that have taken 

 place. I have been to two very notable suppers, one at Dr. 

 Traill's in company with the French consul and two other 

 French gentlemen; I was much encouraged, and urged to 

 visit France at once. The other at the house of Mr. Moli- 

 neux ; there indeed my ears were feasted ; such entertaining 

 conversation, such delightful music; Mr, Clementi^ and 

 Mr. Tomlinson from London were present. Many persons 

 came to my painting room, they wonder at the rapidity of 

 my work and that I can paint fourteen hours without 

 fatigue. My Turkeys are now framed, and hung at the 

 Institution which is open daily, and paying well. I have 

 made many small drawings for different friends. All my 

 Sundays are alike, — breakfast with Mr. Melly, church with 

 the blind, dinner with Mr. Roscoe. Every one is surprised 

 at my habits of early rising, and at my rarely touching 

 meat, except game. 



* Muzio Clementi, composer and piii.'st, bom in Rome, 1752, died in Lon- 

 don, 1832. Head of the piano firm of that name. 



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