606 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. (1870, 
uncivilly, I fear, I fell almost into a wrangle with him 
directly. He even seemed to think us on the whole a 
bigoted set here in Cambridge, — rather a novel view 
tous.... 
Well, I must break off. 
Our spring is tardy, after a wintry March. Only 
snowdrops yet out in the Garden, and those in the 
sunniest place, a lot which I brought with me from 
England. For primroses we have to look into a cold 
frame, in which they, with violets, have been blossom- 
ing all the latter part of the winter. 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
November 15, 1870. 
My pear De CanpDoL_e, — Many thanks for your 
most kind letter of the 24th October. Taken along 
with one from Mr. Bentham of about the same date, 
it gives me tidings of several of our French confreres, 
who are now in such great tribulation. What a 
change since last year, since last summer even; and 
for Mrs. Gray and me, how fortunate that we had our 
visit made and over before the deluge! And what 
can be the end, and when? It is useless to conjecture. 
And now there is fear that while Germany is holding 
the Gallic wolf by the ears, —a situation growing daily 
more uncomfortable and dangerous for Prussia, and 
England is left quite alone, — Russia is to take a step 
forward in the Black Sea, ete., which will greatly vex 
England and Austria, and perhaps send the torch of 
war all over Europe; and if all closes up soon Europe 
will feel this powerful Germany. But it may be the 
better for Switzerland, whose danger is always from 
France. It used to make me uneasy and indignant to 
see the French flag on the shore of your Lake, where 
it has no business to be! 
