It is a great mystery to me yet how people get to know each other in
London. Persons talk to you whom you do not know, for no one is
introduced, as a general rule. I have sometimes quite an
acquaintance with a person, and exchange visits, and yet do not
succeed for a long time in putting their name and the person
together. . . . It is a great puzzle to a stranger, but has its
conveniences for the English themselves. We are endeavoring to
become acquainted with the English mind, not only through society,
but through its products in other ways. Natural science is the
department into which they seem to have thrown their intellect most
effectively for the last ten or fifteen years. We are reading
Whewell's "History of the Inductive Sciences," which gives one a
summary of what has been accomplished in that way, not only in past
ages, but in the present. Every moment here is precious to me and I
am anxious to make the best use of it, but I have immense demands on
my time in every way.



LETTER: To W.D.B. and A.B.
Tuesday night, January 19, 1847



To-day we have been present at the opening of Parliament, but how
can I picture to you the interest and magnificence of the scene. I
will begin quite back, and give you all the preparations for a
"Court Day." Ten days before, a note was written to Lord Willoughby
d'Eresby, informing him of my intention to attend, that a seat might
be reserved for me, and also soliciting several tickets for American