58 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. n. 



behind. Last night I went to the Theatre 

 Francois, and saw " Ecole de Vieillards" and a new 

 piece. I did not stay for the last, the theatre 

 was so close. It is prettily built, but the decora- 

 tions are faded. The statue of Voltaire in the 

 salle is worth all the money. 



' With my best love to all, believe me ever 

 yours most truly, 



' Richard Owen.' 



In the beginning of September 1831 Owen 

 returned to London. His mother says in a letter 

 dated from Lancaster September 8, 1831, 'that 

 she thinks he must have been highly gratified by 

 his " trip to Paris," and by the sight of all its 

 wonders.' She hopes when he has time that he 

 will give them a full account of it all. That 

 account he sent soon after, for in another letter 

 dated October 6, 1831, his mother writes thus : — 

 * Thank you for the amusing journal of your 

 visit to Paris, more especially for the time and 

 trouble of writing it, as you had so much employ- 

 ment for your pen with the Catalogue, the 

 finishing of which I shall rejoice to hear. I 

 felt much concern about your health, fearing 

 that, as you were not quite well, the hurry of 

 seeing sights might have been too much for 

 you. Your being noticed by Cuvier was for- 

 tunate, and your having access to his museum 

 would be an advantage in your profession on 



