1857-59 BANQUET AT MANSION HOUSE 77 



Gloucester]. ... A most pleasant, varied chat all 

 the dinner time ; no sort of formality.' 



' A card of a foot square from the Lord Mayor- 

 elect, who this year invites the representatives of 

 British science to the annual banquet.' So Owen 

 tells his sister, to whom on November 29 he sends 

 particulars of the Mansion House meeting : — 



' The assembled citizens in the room signify 

 their opinion of the guests named — if worth any 

 — somewhat in the fashion of the undergradu- 

 ates in the Senate House. After the dinner, 

 poor Samuel Warren came up to me. " Why, 

 Professor, you were received like the Prime 

 Minister ! " I made my best Court bow to the 

 Lord Mayor, said a few words to my Lord of my 

 pleasure at seeing Science recognised on this 

 great occasion, and sailed off to one side to 

 witness other receptions. Lord D. cross and 

 fidgety ; old Malakoff very debonnaire and jolly, 

 the Lord Chancellor with his most benevolent 

 smile. Disraeli with his unmeaning, impassive 

 aspect. I had a good place assigned me near the 

 " Court-end " of one of the long tables in full view 

 of the magnates. Next me a young bride with 

 widely-developed skirt. Her husband and I had 

 to lift her, first upon the " form " (which was 

 fixed close to the table), then to fold her nether 

 half tightly up and glide her in like a mummy ! 

 Same operation needed with everybody, and id. 

 to get them out.' 



