1 84 PROFESSOR OWEN ch. VI. 



the first time. There were some civil cases, and 

 among other indictments, school boys " had up" 

 for stealing pigeons. The whole scene strangely 

 recalled Sancho Panza's administration of justice in 

 Barataria. . . . After a quiet day's rest to-morrow, 

 I proceed to Sir William Armstrong's at New- 

 castle, and give at that town the same two lectures 

 as here. . . .' 



On hearing of the illness of his sister Eliza, 

 Owen writes, December 26 : — 



' Nothing could have been kinder or more 

 prompt than (Dr.) Pearson Langshaw's reports of 

 your symptoms. Any wish of his or yours I will 

 fulfil at once, for I have escaped cold hitherto, 

 though at the Museum almost daily. 



' On Wednesday I made a pilgrimage to St. 

 Gabriel's, Warwick Square, in my new and proud 

 capacity as grandfather and godfather.' 



The following letter illustrates Owen's readi- 

 ness, even in the busiest moments of his life, to 

 interest himself in those who had to make their 

 own way in the world. It was written to a young 

 working man who had endeavoured to educate 

 himself in geology and was anxious for a position 

 in the British Museum : — 



' I have received your letter of January 1868, 

 and have read with interest the essay accompany- 

 ing it. The evidence of worth in both made me 

 feel, what I have often felt before on like occasions, 

 sorry for my inability to offer you a position in 



