Travel Diaries and Journals

at the National Gallery - fine old pictures + wonderful [?]. One by [blank] is so much retouched that they talk of having it cleaned to come down to the originalty. He brought us a guide book to London a hundred years ago to look at. Among the coins he brought was one of silver of Queen Elizabeth made so old + ugly that she ordered them all destroyed, about a third of her has been cut off, but the head is left entire. This is the only one know to exist. The British Museum offered him ₤60 for it which he declined but has left it to the museum in his will. After he left us I bought this book +c [&c, etc.]. Miss Cary made us a very agreeable visit in the evening. She told us that it has been quite the fashion this summer to make excursions in the [environs?] in certain six horse coaches, which are often driven by the owners gentlemen, sometimes [peers?] of the [?]. They start from the White Horse cellar, close by.

Sept. 10 - Thursday. To Northumberland House, Trafalgar Square which is entirely dismantled, every thing moveable gone even to the mantels + the timbers, stone, [?] windows stair cases +c [&c, etc.] are being sold at Auction. The Ballroom, + Pompeian room must have been superb. The kitchen, offices, pantries, + the arrangements for

ful. Lunch in South Kensington Museum. Noticed the monument of pure gold brought from Ashantee, also state swords +c +c. Noticed enamels which can be well studied here, think our little box "Tho absent not forgot" is Battersea Enamel - saw more champlevé enamel near by were the cloisonné + Limoges enamels. Upstairs in the jewel case is an enormous pearl 2 inches or more long + about 1 in thick it is shaded, there are many other interesting stones. Noticed the Henri II vase called inlaid earthenware - very much valued. Found a courier waiting to see us when we returned. He spoke all languages, + had been every where, + all this for ₤15 a month.

Sept. 16 - Wednesday - Walked around Berkeley Sq., where is Gunter's fashionable place for ices + in afterword during the seasons carriages may be seen in front of this shop with ladies inside enjoying the ices. Earl of Haddington + some others live here houses quite plain, but of extra width. Left my watch in Mount St. + strolled around Grosvenor Sq. where the houses are very much finer - that of the Earl of Crawford + [Baleaues?] especially fine these of the Earl of Percy + of the Earl of Shaftesbury are quite out of repair, Bought some [drugs?] +c, + went to the British Museum Lunched almost opposite in a side of. Looked principally at the