384 SECOND JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1851, 
elegance than our Parisian quarters, but decidedly 
more comfort. The only thing that distresses us is, 
that we cannot translate Sax Mrs. Crook bodily to 
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Sure we would if she were 
younger; but the dear old creature will now erelong 
be translated to a far better land... . Unpacked 
(which in interminableness is only second to packing 
up) and went down to the Hookers’. . . 
Friday, after writing and dispatching lattors home, 
we went up to London, shopped, ete., in the City ; 
streets nasty (the English word is very appropriate ; 
no wonder they always use it), and such a contrast to 
beautiful and gay Paris, which is vastly more con- 
venient and agreeable for shopping. . . . 
Saturday, . . . a little stroll in the Gardens, which 
are looking beautifully, the trees loaded with rich 
foliage, and the great masses of Rhododendrons in 
blossom. 
In the evening went with Dr. Hooker up to the 
last soirée of Lord Rosse, the president of the Royal 
Society; too late to see Prince Albert, who came and 
went early; saw the usual dons. Sir Charles Lyell 
asked if I had stayed abroad all the time since last 
year, or had just come over afresh! .. . 
Wednesday, we were off early in the morning, to 
make our first visit to the Great Exhibition. We went 
up to town by railroad as usual; walked over Water- 
loo bridge, and having reached the Strand, had the 
satisfaction of seeing nine omnibuses pass westward, 
all full. Despairing of all hope of getting into an 
omnibus, we were just turning to look for a cab, when 
a well-dressed and respectable woman, who had been 
making similar unsuccessful attempts, rushed up to us, 
exclaiming, “Oh! are you going to the Exhibition? 
aici ea et pe OS NR es Ng eee re Eee tee a 
