the house except through this one dead man, it seemed as if his presence
and attributes pervaded it wholly. He appears to have been a man of
reprehensible habits, though well advanced in years. I ought not to
forget a brandy-flask (empty) among his other effects. The landlady and
daughter made a good impression on me, as honest and respectable persons.


August 24th.--Yesterday, in the forenoon, I received a note, and shortly
afterwards a call at the Consulate from Miss H----, whom I apprehend to
be a lady of literary tendencies. She said that Miss L. had promised her
an introduction, but that, happening to pass through Liverpool, she had
snatched the opportunity to make my acquaintance. She seems to be a
mature lady, rather plain, but with an honest and intelligent face. It
was rather a singular freedom, methinks, to come down upon a perfect
stranger in this way,--to sit with him in his private office an hour or
two, and then walk about the streets with him, as she did; for I did the
honors of Liverpool, and showed her the public buildings. Her talk was
sensible, but not particularly brilliant nor interesting; a good, solid
personage, physically and intellectually. She is an English woman.

In the afternoon, at three o'clock, I attended the funeral of Captain
Auld. Being ushered into the dining-room of his boarding-house, I found
brandy, gin, and wine set out on a tray, together with some little
spicecakes. By and by came in a woman, who asked if I were going to the
funeral; and then proceeded to put a mourning-band on my hat,--a
black-silk band, covering the whole hat, and streaming nearly a yard
behind. After waiting the better part of an hour, nobody else appeared,
although several shipmasters had promised to attend. Hereupon, the
undertaker was anxious to set forth; but the landlady, who was arrayed in
shining black silk, thought it a shame that the poor man should be buried