1850-51 THE HOUSE AT KEW 379 



and I should think, from its proximity to London, 

 would be most convenient for you. 



' " Sincerely yours, 



' " C. B. Phipps. 



"Professor Owen." 



'. . . . This decided me to push the British 

 Museum question no further ; for I must then 

 have lived in town, and had a deal of bothering 

 work, not worth 50/. a year more than I now 

 get.' 



On the same day he writes to his sister 

 Maria : ' I little thought when I read of the 

 demise of the old King of Hanover that I should 

 become heir to one of His Majesty's houses at 

 Kew ; but so our own dear Majesty has graciously 

 willed. . . For our little family, and my quiet way 

 of life, not many rooms are wanted to add to the 

 happiness of breathing and sleeping in fresh air, 

 with access to one of the finest gardens of the 

 world — as good as my own — for life. The Council 

 are now debating upon my request to retain my 

 present sitting and sleeping rooms as a place 

 of business, and for sleeping now and then in 

 town. . . .' 



On December 23 there is the following entry 

 in the diary : ' To Sir Robert Inglis's. As soon 

 as we entered Sir R. attacked us about our " pala- 

 tial residence," but congratulated us very kindly. 

 The news is evidently spreading.' 



In sending a copy of the ' Times' to his sister 



