But here, there being less formality, and
more of a conversational character in what was said, my usual diffidence
could not so well be kept in abeyance. However, I did not break down to
an intolerable extent, and, winding up my eloquence as briefly as
possible, we had a social talk. Their whole stay could not have been
much more than a quarter of an hour.
A call, this morning, at the Consulate, from Dr. Bowrug, who is British
minister, or something of the kind, in China, and now absent on a
twelvemonth's leave. The Doctor is a brisk person, with the address of a
man of the world,--free, quick to smile, and of agreeable manners. He
has a good face, rather American than English in aspect, and does not
look much above fifty, though he says he is between sixty and seventy. I
should take him rather for an active lawyer or a man of business than for
a scholar and a literary man. He talked in a lively way for ten or
fifteen minutes, and then took his leave, offering me any service in his
power in London,--as, for instance, to introduce me to the Athenaeum
Club.
August 8th.--Day before yesterday I escorted my family to Rock Ferry, two
miles either up or down the Mersey (and I really don't know which) by
steamer, which runs every half-hour. There are steamers going
continually to Birkenhead and other landings, and almost always a great
many passengers on the transit. At this time the boat was crowded so as
to afford scanty standing-room; it being Saturday, and therefore a kind
of gala-day.
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