THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 



249 



into Liverpool by Mr. Rd. Rathbone, with his mother and 

 Miss Hannah, and met Mr. Chorley by appointment, that 

 we might make the respectful visits I owed. First to 

 Edward Roscoe's, bui saw only his charming wife ; then to 

 William Roscoe's. The venerable man had just returned 

 from a walk, and in an instant our hands were locked. 

 He asked me many questions about my publication, 

 praised the engraving and the coloring. He has much 

 changed. Time's violent influenc* has rendered his cheeks 

 less rosy, his eye-brows more bushy, forced his fine eyes 

 more deeply in their sockets, made his frame more bent, 

 his walk weaker; but his voice had all its purity, his lan- 

 guage all its brilliancy. I then went to the Botanic 

 Gardens, where all was rich and beautiful ; the season 

 allows it. Then to Alexander Gordon's and Mr. Hodgson. 

 Both out, and no card in my pocket. Just like vtc. I 

 found the intelligent Swiss ^ in his office, and his " Ah, 

 Audubon! Comment va?" was all-sufficient. I left him to 

 go to Mr. Rathbone's, where I have spent every night except 

 the last. As usual I escaped every morning at four for 

 my walk and to write letters. I have not done much work 

 since here, but I have enjoyed that which I have long 

 desired, the society of my dear friends the Rathbones. 

 Whilst writing this, I have often wished I could take in the 

 whole at one glance, as I do a picture ; this need has fre- 

 quently made me think that writing a good book must be 

 much more difficult than to paint a good picture. To my 

 great joy, Mr. Bentley is going with me to London. With 

 a heavy heart I said adieu to these dear Rathbones, and 

 will proceed to London lower in spirits than I was in 

 Edinburgh the first three days. 



Shrewsbury, May 20. After all sorts of difficulties with 

 the coach, which left one hour and a half late, we reached 

 Chester at eleven, and were detained an hour. I therefore 

 took a walk under the piazzas that go all through the 



» Mr. Melly. 



X T i' 



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