THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 121 



house is immense, but I was kindly received and felt at 

 ease at once. After dinner the ladies left us early. We 

 soon retired to the library to drink tea, and Miss Hey- 

 wood showed me her portfolio of drawings, and not long 

 after I took my leave. 



September 18, Monday. Mr. Sergeant came for me at 

 half-past three and escorted me to his house. I am de- 

 lighted with him — his house — his pictures — his books 

 — his guns — and his dogs, and very much so with a 

 friend of his from London, who dined with us. The 

 weather has been beautiful, and more persons than usual 

 at my rooms. 



September 19, Tuesday. I saw Mr. Melly this morning 

 at the Exchange ; he had not long arrived from Liverpool. 

 He had been to my door-keeper, examined the Book of 

 Income, and told me he was sorry and annoyed at my want 

 of success, and advised me to go at once to London or 

 Paris. He depressed me terribly, so that I felt really ill. 

 He invited me to dine with him, but I told him I had already 

 engaged to go to Mr. Samuel Gregg ^ at Quarry Bank, four- 

 teen miles distant, to pass the night. Mr. Gregg, who is the 

 father of a large family, met me as if he had known me 

 fifty years ; with him came his brother William and his 

 daughter, the carriage was ready, and ofiT we drove. We 

 crossed a river in the course of our journey nearly fifty 

 feet wide. I was told it was a stream of great importance : 

 the name I have forgotten,'^ but I know it is seven miles 

 from Manchester en route to Derbyshire. The land is 

 highly improved, and grows wheat principally; the coun- 

 try is pretty, and many of the buildings are really beauti- 

 ful. We turn down a declivity to Quarry Bank, a most 

 enchanting spot, situated on the edge of the same river 

 we had crossed, — the grounds truly picturesque, and cul- 

 tivated to the greatest possible extent. In the drawing- 

 room I met three ladies, the daughters of Mr. Gregg, and 

 1 Relative of Mr. Wm. Rathbone, Sr. ^ xhe IrweU. 



