Seaforth
people are left a good deal to their individuality, and are
comparatively independent of one another; but here I feel what a
pressure and bondage men's lives draw round each other. It makes me
catch my breath. You will not care about this, however, nor be able to
understand me.

'But another thing you would care for, and delight in; and that is the
historical associations of London. Queen Esther, it is delightful! You
and I have looked at coins and read books together, and looked at
history so; but here I seem to touch it. I have been to-day to Charing
Cross, standing and wandering about, and wondering at the things that
have happened there. Ask your father to tell you about Charing Cross. I
could hardly come away. If you ask me how _I_ know so well what
happened there, I will tell you. I have found an old uncle here. You
knew I had one? He lives just a little out of London, or out of the
thick of London, in a place that is called Kensington; in a queer old
house, which, however, I like very much, and that is filled with
curiosities. It is in a pleasant situation, not far from one of the
public parks,--though it is not called a park, but "Garden,"--and with
one or two palaces and a number of noble mansions about it. My uncle
received me very hospitably, and would have me come and make my home
with him while I am in London. That is nice for me, and in many ways.
He is a character, this old uncle of mine; something of an antiquary, a
good deal of a hermit, a little eccentric, but stuffed with local
knowledge, and indeed with knowledge of many sorts. I think he has
taken a fancy to me somehow, Queen Esther; at any rate, he is very
kind. He seems to like to go about with me and show me London, and
explain to me what London is. He was there at Charing Cross with me,
holding forth on history and politics--he's a great Tory; ask the
colonel what that is; and really I seemed to see the ages rolling
before me as he talked, and I looked at Northumberland House and at the
brazen statue of Charles I. If I had time I would tell you about them,
as Mr. Strahan told me. And yesterday I was in the House of Commons,
and heard some great talking; and to-morrow we are going to the Tower.
I think, if you were only here to go too, we should have a first-rate
sort of a time. But I will try and tell you about it.

'And talking of history,--Mr. Strahan has some beautiful coins. There
is one of Philip of Macedon, and two of Alexander