1841-42 SEA-BATHING AT HEYSHAM 197 



the stays went on under the shirt, and the drawers 

 were put over the arms — as the Highlander served 

 his first pair of breeches. Then pins were missing 

 from collars and belts ; however, they all held 

 together till we got home again, and mamma has 

 the amusing task of setting matters to rights in the 

 next room .... and listening to the lively account 

 the young gentleman is giving of all that he has 

 so wonderfully and boldly undergone on this first 

 introduction to Neptune.' 



Returning to the College of Surgeons on 

 August 2, Owen found a message from Thomas 

 Carlyle to say that he was anxious to make his 

 acquaintance. Accordingly, a week or two later, 

 Owen made his way to Cheyne Row, Chelsea. 

 After sending his name in by the servant, he was 

 shown into a room where Carlyle was having tea. 

 The 'tall man with great glittering eyes,' as Car- 

 lyle afterwards described him, made some general 

 remarks, but as the servant had not given his 

 name very clearly, Carlyle abruptly asked Owen 

 who he was. When he had modestly revealed 

 himself and had talked for some time, Carlyle 

 exhibited a good deal of interest, and expressed a 

 desire to be shown over the museum of the College 

 of Surgeons at an early opportunity. Accordingly, 

 the next day he came early in the afternoon, bring- 

 ing his brother with him, and they spent nearly 

 three hours in the museum looking at the speci- 

 mens which Owen described to them. 



