above-mentioned studies of horticulture, I became
dissatisfied with the Linnaean, Jussieuan, and Everybody-elseian
arrangement of plants, and have accordingly arranged a system of my
own; and unbound my botanical book, and rebound it in brighter
green, with all the pages through-other, and backside foremost--so
as to cut off all the old paging numerals; and am now printing my
new arrangement in a legible manner, on interleaved foolscap. I
consider this arrangement one of my great achievements of the year.
My studies of political economy have induced me to think also that
nobody knows anything about that; and I am at present engaged in an
investigation, on independent principles, of the natures of money,
rent, and taxes, in an abstract form, which sometimes keeps me
awake all night. My studies of German metaphysics have also induced
me to think that the Germans don't know anything about _them_; and
to engage in a serious enquiry into the meaning of Bunsen's great
sentence in the beginning of the second volume of the 'Hippolytus,'
about the Finite realization of Infinity; which has given me some
trouble.

"The course of my studies of Navigation necessitated my going to
Deal to look at the Deal boats; and those of geology to rearrange
all my minerals (and wash a good many, which, I am sorry to say, I
found wanted it). I have also several pupils, far and near, in the
art of illumination; an American young lady to direct in the study
of landscape painting, and a Yorkshire young lady to direct in the
purchase of Turners,--and various little bye things besides. But I
am coming to see you."

The tone of humorous exaggeration of his discoveries and occupations was
very characteristic. But he was then growing into the habit of leaving
the matter in hand, as he often did afterwards, to follow side issues,
and to take up new studies with a hasty and divided attention; the
result of which was seen in his sub-title for the third volume of
"Modern Painters"--"Of Many Things"; which amused his readers not a
little. But that he still had time for his friends is seen in the
account of a visit to Denmark Hill, written this year by James Smetham.

"I walked there through the wintry weather, and got in about dusk.
One or two gossiping details will interest you before I give you
what I care for; and