THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



205 



before last; a great multitude of people were looking at 

 the spot, gazing like fools, for there was nothing to be 

 seen. How is it that our sages tell us our species is much 

 improved? If we murder now in cool blood, and in a most 

 terrifying way, our brother, we are not a jot forward since 

 the time of Cain. 



January 13. Painted five hours, and at two o'clock 

 accompanied by Mr. Lizars, reached the University and 

 entered the rooms of the Wernerian Society with a paper 

 on the habits of Alligators in my pocket, to be read to the 

 members and visitors present. This I read after the busi- 

 ness of the meeting had been transacted, and, thank God, 

 after the effort of once beginning, I went on unfalteringly 

 to the end. In the evening I went with Mr. Lizars to see 

 "As You Like It." Miss Foote performed and also Mr. 

 Murray, but the house was so crowded that I could scarce 

 see. 



January llj.. Could not work on my picture, for I have 

 no white Pheasant for a key-stone of light, but Professor 

 Jameson called and said he would write for one for me to 

 the Duke of Buccleugh. After receiving many callers I went 

 to Mr. O'Neill's to have a cast taken of my head. My 

 coat and neckcloth were taken off, my shirt collar turned 

 down, I was told to close my eyes ; Mr. O'Neill took a 

 large brush and oiled my whole face, the almost liquid 

 plaster of Paris was poured over it, as I sat uprightly till 

 the whole was covered ; my nostrils only were exempt. In 

 a few moments the plaster had acquired the needful con- 

 sistency, when it was taken off by pulling it down gently. 

 The whole operation lasted hardly five minutes ; the only 

 inconvenienct .elt was the weight of the material pulling 

 downward over my sinews and flesh. On my return from 

 the Antiquarian Society that evening, I found my face on 

 the table, an excellent cast. 



January 17 to Sunday, 21st. John Syme, the artist, asked 

 me if I did not wish to become an associate member of 



■' ■ I 



