130 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. V. 
which showed that every point told. I was in- 
formed afterwards that Dickens was heard at the 
farthest end of the hall, and, if so, it is extra- 
ordinary that one voice should fill such a large 
space. Both R. and I will long remember the 
treat. I asked Dickens to come over one June 
day to see the garden.’ 
On May 2 Owen writes to his sister Eliza, 
telling her that his Fullerian Lectures at the 
Royal Institution began on April 7 and were ‘ on 
Birds.’ After speaking again of the beauty of 
his garden, he says ; ‘ May-day was such as the 
poets sing of: a bright sunny summer day. I 
passed it pleasantly in my garden, only wishing 
you had been here to enjoy it. I was reading 
“ Philip,” in the last “ Cornhill,” under my cedar, 
listening to the trill of the nightingale, about the 
time of the opening procession amid the crowds 
at the International Exhibition. I felt my happier 
position.’ 
The charm of Owen’s country home was felt 
by others besides himself. Among his visitors 
was Mr. Ruskin. 
' Sttnday, April 27. — Mr. Ruskin came as ex- 
pected, and had a walk with R. At dinner we 
had much pleasant conversation on art and lite- 
rature. Afterwards R. read part of one of the 
“ Idylls.” ’ 
Other interesting visitors appear in the diary. 
^Sunday, June i. — We had Charles Dickens, 
