1865-68 DAILY WORK AT THE MUSEUM 181 



Furthermore, add the assurance that all ends not 

 here, that powers of work are entrusted gifts, with 

 the glorious hope of a higher sphere of action, if 

 they have been used as intended by our beneficent 

 Creator.' 



Owen was occupied with his daily work at the 

 British Museum until September, when he writes 

 an account of his holiday to his wife : — 



Westbrook Hey^ Hemel Hempstead : September 5. 



'After the British Museum on Thursday, I 

 took the train to Boxmoor, and arrived here about 

 five, had a cup of tea and a turn in the garden 

 with Lord S. de Redcliffe and Mr. Motley (author 

 of " History of Dutch Republic"), then to dress 

 for dinner. After dinner a rubber of whist, with 

 Lady Stanhope for partner, against Lady Sophia 

 Macnamara and Mr. Motley ; won is. 6d. Next 

 morning a long ramble and much interesting 

 and instructive discussion with Mr. Motley. Next 

 day a drive to Ashridge ; looked over house, 

 pictures, and gardens, and so back to the same 

 party at dinner. Afterwards I was positively 

 ashamed of my winnings at vingt-et-un ! To- 

 day Lord Lyons comes, prior to his going as 

 Ambassador to Paris.' 



The question of the building of the Natural 

 History Museum was at this date very far from 

 being settled, as will be seen from the account 

 given in the chapter devoted to the subject. 



