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252 



AUDI/BON 



ford-on-Avon, Woodstock, and Oxford. A cleaner and 

 more interesting city I never saw; three thousand students 

 are here at present. It was tea o'clock when we entered 

 the turnpike gate that is designated as the line of demar- 

 cation of London, but for many miles I thought the road 

 forming a town of itself. We followed Oxford Street its 

 whole length, and then turning about a few times came to 

 the Bull and Mouth tavern where we stay the night. 



May 23. Although two full days have been spent in 

 London, not a word have I written ; my heart would not 

 bear me up sufficiently. Monday was positively a day of 

 gloom to me. After breakfast Mr. Bentley took a walk 

 with me through the City, he leading, and I following as 

 if an ox to the slaughter. Finall) we looked for and 

 found lodgings, at 55 Great Russell Street, to which we at 

 once removed, and again I issued forth, noting nothing but 

 the great dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. I delivered sev- 

 eral letters and was well received by all at home. With 

 Mr. Children ^ I went in the evening to the Linnaean Society 

 and exhibited my first number. All those present pro- 

 nounced my work unrivalled, and warmly wished me 

 success. 



Sunday, May S8. Ever since my last date I have been 

 delivering letters, and attending the meetings of different 

 societies. One evening was spent at the Royal Society, 

 where, as in all Royal Societies, I heard a dull, heavy 

 lecture. Yesterday my first call was on Sir Thos. Law- 

 rence ; it was half-past eight, as I was assured later would 

 not do. I gave my name, and in a moment the servant 

 returned and led me to him. I was a little surprised to 

 see him dressed as for the whole day. He rose and shook 

 hands with me the moment I pronounced my good friend 

 Sully's name. While he read deliberately the two letters 

 I had brought, I examined his face ; it did not exhibit the 



* John George Children, 1777-1852, English physicist and naturalist, at 

 this time secretary of the Royal Society. 



