218 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. vii. 



June 12 Owen met Charles Dickens for the first 

 time, and a friendship commenced between them 

 which was always maintained. He met him at 

 the green-room of Drury Lane Theatre. The 

 occasion of their meeting is thus recorded : — 



'May 12. — R. to Drury Lane Theatre, to see 

 H.M. pass to her box. A large and brilliant 

 assemblage there, who wandered about behind the 

 scenes, and when H.M. entered her box all stood 

 on the stage and joined the professionals in the 

 National Anthem. R. stood just behind Miss P. 

 Horton, who as prima donna was in the front 

 row, and quite close to the Queen. " As You Like 

 It" afterwards, by H.M.'s desire. Keeleyandhis 

 wife delightful in that and also in the concluding 

 farce, "A Thumping Legacy," which H.M. seemed 

 to greatly enjoy R. was much gratified to meet 

 amongst many interesting people Charles Dickens, 

 in the green-room, and found him delightful.' 



There is then an entry with regard to the 

 curious publication of Home's ' Orion : ' — 



' Bought the new poem " Orion," for which 

 you may only pay the sum of one farthing. A 

 halfpenny or a larger coin refused. One person 

 may not have more than one copy of Home's 

 poem, and the bookseller, Miller of Oxford Street, 

 will not give change, even for a halfpenny. 

 Richard began the poem with little expectation 

 of being able to get through it, but very soon 

 changed his opinion.' 



