“The three children were called in; the boy, about six years old, of course wouldn’t speak to me.

“The best portrait of Southey in his daughter’s collection is a profile in wax—­a style that I have seen several times in England, and which I think very pretty.

“We went down to Lodore, the scene of the poem, ’How does the Water come Down,’ etc., and found it about as large as the other waterfalls around here—­a little dripping of water among the stones.

    COLLINGWOOD, Nov. 14, 1857.

    MY DEAR FATHER:  This is Sir John Herschel’s place.  I came last
    night just at dusk.

According to English ways, I ought to have written a note, naming the hour at which I should reach Etchingham, which is four miles from Collingwood; but when I left Liverpool I went directly on, and a letter would have arrived at the same time that I did.  I stopped in London one night only, changed my lodging-house, that I might pay a pound a week only for letting my trunk live in a room, instead of two pounds, and started off again.

I reached Etchingham at ten minutes past four, took a cab, and set off for Sir John’s.  It is a large brick house, no way handsome, but surrounded by fine grounds, with beautiful trees and a very large pond.

    The family were at dinner, and I was shown into the
    drawing-room.

There was just the light of a coal fire, and as I stood before it Sir John bustled in, an old man, much bent, with perfectly white hair standing out every way.  He reached both hands to me, and said, “We had no letter and so did not expect you, but you are always welcome in this house.”  Lady Herschel followed—­very noble looking; she does not look as old as I, but of course must be; but English women, especially of her station, do not wear out as we do, who are “Jacks at all trades.”

    I found a fire in my room, and a cup of tea and crackers were
    immediately sent up.

    The Herschels have several children; I have not seen Caroline,
    Louise, William, and Alexander, but Belle, and Amelie, and
    Marie, and Julie, and Rosa, and Francesca, and Constance, and
    John are at home!

The children are not handsome, but are good-looking, and well brought up of course, and highly educated.  The children all come to table, which is not common in England.  Think what a table they must set when the whole twelve are at home!

The first object that struck me in the house was Borden’s map of Massachusetts, hanging in the hall opposite the entrance.  Over the mantelpiece in the dining-room is a portrait of Sir William Herschel.  In the parlor is a portrait of Caroline Herschel, and busts of Sir William, Sir John, and the eldest daughter.

I spent the evening in looking at engravings, sipping tea, and talking.  Sir John is like