that may serve to adorn the new Houses of Parliament, and the
pictures of this collection were all painted with that view. One of
those which have received a prize is John Robinson bestowing his
farewell blessing upon the Pilgrims at Leyden, which is very
pleasing. It was to me like a friend in a strange country, and I
lingered over it the longest.


July 2d


Wednesday [evening] we went to Lady Duff Gordon's, who is the
daughter of Mrs. Austin, where was a most agreeable party, and among
others, Andersen, the Danish poet-author of the "Improvisatore." He
has a most striking poetical physiognomy, but as he talked only
German or bad French, I left him to Mr. Bancroft in the conversation
way.

The next morning before nine o'clock we were told that Mr. Rogers,
the poet, was downstairs. I could not imagine what had brought him
out so early, but found that Moore, the poet, had come to town and
would stay but a day, and we must go that very morning and breakfast
with him at ten o'clock. We went and found a delightful circle. I
sat between Moore and Rogers, who was in his very best humor. Moore
is but a wreck, but most a interesting one.



LETTER: To Mr. and Mrs. I.P.D.
Nuneham Park, July 27, 1847