THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 263 



not spoil any more canvas, but will draw in my usual old, 

 untaught way, which is what God meant me to do. 



October 18. This morning I paid a visit to old Mr. 

 Bewick. I found the good gentleman as usual at work, 

 but he looked much better, as the cotton cap had been 

 discarded for a fur one. He was in good spirits, and we 

 met like old friends. I could not spend as much time with 

 him as I wished, but saw sufficient of him and his family 

 to assure me they were well and happy. I met Mr. 

 Adamson, who went with me to dine at the Mansion 

 House. We were received in a large room, furnished in 

 the anqient style, panelled with oak all round, and very 

 sombre. The company all arrived, we marched in couples 

 to dinner and I was seated in the centre, the mayor at 

 one end, the high sheriff at the other; we were seventy- 

 two in number. As my bad luck would have it, I was 

 toasted by John Clayton, Esq. ; he made a speech, and /, 

 poor fellow, was obliged to return the compliment, which 

 I did, as usual, most awkwardly and covered with perspira- 

 tion. Miserable stupidity that never will leave me ! I had 

 thousands of questions to answer about the poor aborigi- 

 nes. It was dark when I left, and at my room was a 

 kind letter from Mr. Selby, inviting me to meet him at 

 Alnwick to-morrow. 



Twi^el House, October 19. I arrived at Alnwick about 

 eleven this morning, found the little village quite in a 

 bustle, and Mr. Selby at the court. How glad I was to 

 see him again I cannot say, but I well know I feel the 

 pleasure yet, though twelve hours have elapsed. Again 

 I dined with the gentlemen of the Bar, fourteen in number. 

 A great ball takes place at Alnwick Castle this night, but 

 Mr. Selby took me in his carriage and has brought me 

 to his family, — a thousand times more agreeable to me 

 than the motley crowd at the Castle. I met again Captain 

 Mitford, most cordial to me always. To my regret many 

 of my subscribers have not yet received the third number, 



