148 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839, 
siderable importance, but much small matter. By the 
way, let me say that Bennett thinks that Brown thinks 
Romanzovia to be hydrophyllaceous! Bentham would 
give something to know this, but I shall keep it to 
myself. I have made out the remainder of Pursh’s 
doubtful Arenarias and Stellarias from the Banks 
herbarium. The parcel of Solidagos, ete., sent to care 
of Mr. Putnam, I am glad to say, came to hand. It 
did not arrive until last week, however. .. . 
Monday evening, twelve o’clock. . . . As I sit down 
to tell you what I have been about to-day, my thoughts 
cross the wide wave that separates us, and brings me 
back to 30 MacDougal Street, and to the time when, 
returning from town, I used to present myself before 
you, give an account of my proceedings, tell you per- 
haps some news about that ill-fated expedition of 
which you were so sick of hearing; how it would cer- 
tainly sail in a month, or something just as likely. 
When thinking of this long separation, I console 
myself with the idea that it is better than if I had 
gone there. In that case I should now have been your 
antipodes. Now there are only some four or five hours 
of shadow between us. And, sluggard as you call me 
at home, I am up in the morning two or three hours 
before you. ‘Tell that to the gials for a wonder! I 
left my room this morning at eleven, walked to Port- 
land Place, called on the American minister, who 
being unwell I was furnished by the secretary of le- 
gation with what I desired, namely, a passport. This 
I left, as the manner is, at the office of the French 
embassy, that his majesty Louis Philippe may have 
fitting notice of the honor that is to be done him, for 
the king of the French is, it seems, rather particular 
about such matters, and it is a pity not to oblige him, 
