CONTINUATION OF HOME LIFE. 47 



varied with pleasure and exultation, and as each roof succes- 

 sively fell in, the crash was hailed with cheers. Nay, it is not un- 

 natural, for at the bursts of sparks and many-coloured flame, one 

 could not but feel strong admiration, and admiration must breed 

 pleasure. Oh, the insurance company are able to bear it all ! 



Nothing new about the administration of public affairs, or the 

 hopes of private ones. There is much difficulty in forming the 

 government ; and many days, if not weeks, may elapse before 

 the arrangements are finally settled. Touching botany, I spent 

 a pleasant evening yesterday at my friend Mr. Ward's, to whom 

 W. Christy took me. He has been most successful in his 

 method of growing exotic ferns in glass cases. Our own little 

 Hymenoplujllum was growing in the most charming luxuriance, 

 and had extensively spread over a rockwork — a most difficult 

 plant to cultivate, it is so impatient of drought. I was quite 

 enchanted with a parcel of Cape plants Ward showed me. You 

 can have no conception of the beauty of some Gnaphaloid 

 things — not true Gnaphalia — I forget the genus. They would 

 make any one in love with Compositte. 1 



To-morrow I go to Lambert's levde of botanists, and on 

 Monday I hope to see Kew Gardens. I wish I was clone with 

 London. Yet why ? Where is there more to see ? I thought 

 of killing time in Devonshire. 



To Dr. Hooker. 



Dec. 12th, 1834. 

 I have been twice to see Brown. He was very kind and 

 civil to me, and I am pleased to know him personally. I give 

 him full meed of admiration for his profound learning and ex- 

 treme acuteness of remark. This was apparent through every 

 word he said. I shall call on him again before I leave town, 

 but I do not like to bother him by too frequent visits. 



I have despatched the letter to Cunningham, but have hitherto 

 been prevented going to Kew. I fully intend going there on 

 Monday next — at any rate not to leave London without making 

 his acquaintance. 



1 Since these pages were placed in the hands of the publisher the editor has heard 

 with deep regret of the death of N. B. Ward, as recorded in the " Athenasum," 

 June 13th, 1868. He died on the 4th of June, at the advanced age of seventy- 

 seven. He took a lively interest in the preparation of this memorial of his friend. 



