378 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. XI. 
the brightest spots in this wonderful year. This 
morning I received a letter from Baron Humboldt 
informing me that the King of Prussia had made 
me “ Knight of the Order of Merit ” in the place 
of the famous Danish philosopher Oerstedt. . . . 
Sister Catherine will look at all this lecturing, and 
medal-getting, and foreign orders of knighthood 
from the utilitarian point of view, and, I fear, will 
not fully sympathise with my feelings in giving 
knowledge and receiving honours ; but now comes 
the “ solid pudding.” I quote the letter addressed 
to me, with C. B. Phipps in the corner, and the 
Queen’s arms in black wax : — 
“ Osborne : December 13, 1851. 
‘ “ My dear Sir, — I have been commanded by 
the Queen to inform you that, a house upon Kew 
Green having become vacant by the death of the 
late King of Hanover, Her Majesty is happy in 
being able to offer this house as a residence for 
you. 
‘ “ 1 he Queen commands me to say that she 
thinks that there 'is no method in which she can 
better give a tribute of her respect and regard for 
science than by thus meeting what she believes to 
be the almost necessary convenience of one of its 
chief ornaments and most distinguished members. 
‘ “ The house will require some alterations, and 
a part which is unfit for repair will have to be pulled 
down, but it will still form a commodious residence. 
