386 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. XII. 
clever woman even, and that prevented her from 
feeling the only object in such a place. After a 
tour round the museum we went into the dining- 
room, and, d propos of some remark concerning 
our fine Shakespeare’s bust, which was looked at 
with interest and its history given, R. brought 
out the Becker-case containing Shakespeare’s 
cast, taken after death. The tears came into Miss 
Kemble’s eyes as she looked at it. There may 
have been a touch of the actress in the emotion 
which she displayed, but there was a great deal 
of the true worshipper of Shakespeare in it too. 
She was quite convinced that the auburn hairs 
sticking to the plaster cast once adorned Shake- 
speare’s face.’ 
In April 1852 Owen wrote to the ‘ Times ’ a 
very strong letter against the demolition of the 
Crystal Palace. He writes; ‘ I feel it my last duty 
to the Crystal Palace to make this effort to pre- 
serve it worthily.’ 
It is interesting to note that Owen felt some 
disappointment with regard to the sale of his 
numerous scientific works. He once expressed 
that feeling in the presence of the poet Horne, 
who wrote him the following letter a day or two 
afterwards : — 
R. H. Horne to R. Owen 
College Road, Haverstock Hill ; May 1852. 
‘ My dear Sir, — I cannot tell you all I felt on 
hearing you make the statement you did the other 
