Botanists -- United States -- Correspondence; Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 -- Correspondence
You may well infer from my being so much with him that he is my
favorite....
Wednesday evening.--After breakfast to-day I went to Lambert’s, thinking
to finish nearly the examination of Pursh’s plants, but I found Lambert
on the point of going out, though the morning was unpleasant. So I was
obliged to retrace my steps; and as a dernier ressort I went to the
British Museum, and commenced my examination of the Banksian Herbarium.
Brown was there most of the time, but did very little except to read the
newspaper and crack his jokes. I broke off at four o’clock; went down to
the City, called on Mr. Putnam, took a parcel of late American
newspapers away with me, dined, went up to Dr. Boott’s, where I spent
the evening so pleasantly that eleven o’clock arrived before I thought
of it. It is now twelve. On my return here I found my parcel had arrived
from Edinburgh, the beautiful copy of Wallich’s work, a very complete
and pretty set of British Algæ from Dr. Greville, and some letters of
introduction for the Continent which he has obligingly favored me with.
I must write a letter of thanks to-morrow....
Went to Ward’s to see the tunnel.... We had tea, Miss and Mrs. Ward
regaled us with music,--and both play extremely well; then Ward and I
looked over plants until nearly half past ten, when we had supper, a
very substantial one, and I took my leave, arriving at my lodgings a
little after twelve....
Sunday evening, February 10.... This morning I attended one of the
larger Methodist chapels, where I heard an excellent sermon from 1 Pet.
v. 7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” A portion
of the Episcopal service was read at the beginning from the desk; but
afterwards the clergyman ascended to the pulpit, when the singing and
prayers were in the ordinary manner. In the afternoon I went to hear my
old favorite Baptist Noel, who was to preach a kind of charity sermon
for the infant-schools of St. Clement’s, Danes. I felt satisfied that we
should have a close and fervent sermon, and truly I was not
disappointed.... He preaches ex tempore, but has the most perfect
facility of language; the words drop from his mouth without any apparent
effort, but he never repeats, and all seems equally important; so unless
I could write as fast as he speaks I could give you no proper idea of
his discourse. His manner is so exceedingly placid that you wonder how
he fixes the attention of his auditors so perfectly. There are many
other clergymen who have the same ardent piety, and the number I hope is
increasing; so that one cannot help expecting great things from this
communion, if it once gets free from the contaminating influence of the
political power. These men all preach continually to crowded houses,
which is another good sign, and proves that the people are ready to hear
sound doctrine. I hoped to have heard another of the same stamp this
evening, and went all the way to St. Sepulere’s, where Mr. Dale preaches
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account