THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 249 



into Liverpool by Mr. Rd. Rathbone, with his mother and 

 Miss Hannah, and met Mr. Chorley by appointment, that 

 we might make the respectful visits I owed. First to 

 Edward Roscoe's, but saw only his charming wife ; then to 

 William Roscoe's. The venerable man had just returned 

 from a walk, and in an instant our hands were locked. 

 He asked me many questions about my publication, 

 praised the engraving and the coloring. He has much 

 changed. Time's violent influence has rendered his cheeks 

 less rosy, his eye-brows more bushy, forced his fine eyes 

 more deeply in their sockets, made his frame more bent, 

 his walk weaker ; but his voice had all its purity, his lan- 

 guage all its brilliancy. I then went to the Botanic 

 Gardens, where all was rich and beautiful; the season 

 allows it. Then to Alexander Gordon's and Mr. Hodgson. 

 Both out, and no card in my pocket. Just like me. I 

 found the intelligent Swiss ^ in his office, and his "Ah, 

 Audubon! Comment va?" was all-sufficient. I left him to 

 go to Mr. Rathbone's, where I have spent every night except 

 the last. As usual I escaped every morning at four for 

 my walk and to write letters. I have not done much work 

 since here, but I have enjoyed that which I have long 

 desired, the society of my dear friends the Rathbones. 

 Whilst writing this, I have often wished I could take in the 

 whole at one glance, as I do a picture ; this need has fre- 

 quently made me think that writing a good book must be 

 much more difficult than to paint a good picture. To my 

 great joy, Mr. Bentley is going with me to London. With 

 a heavy heart I said adieu to these dear Rathbones, and 

 will proceed to London lower in spirits than I was in 

 Edinburgh the first three days. 



Shrewsbury, May 20. After all sorts of difficulties with 

 the coach, which left one hour and a half late, we reached 

 Chester at eleven, and were detained an hour. I therefore 

 took a walk under the piazzas that go all through the 



1 Mr. Melly. 



