st of the old stock
who was living here. Herschel has not been here for several years.
Babbage was here for a day or two during the year before last. The
Astronomer-Royal belongs to a more recent generation. For many years
long attacks of suppressed gout have made my life very unproductive.
I yesterday dined in Hall. It was the first time I was able to meet
my brother Fellows since last Christmas day. A long attack of
bronchitis, followed by a distressing inflammation of my eyes, had
made me a close prisoner for nearly four months. But, thank God, I
am again beginning to be cheery, and with many infirmities (the
inevitable results of old age, for I have entered on my 85th year) I
am still strong in general health, and capable of enjoying, I think
as much as ever, the society of those whom I love, be they young or
old. May God preserve and bless you; and whensoever it may be His
will to call you away to Himself, may your mind be without a cloud
and your heart full of joyful Christian hope!

I remain,
My dear Friend,
Faithfully and gratefully yours,
ADAM SEDGWICK.

* * * * *

After all the violence and bloodshed of the preceding year, the
Thanksgiving of Queen Victoria and the British nation for the recovery
of the Prince of Wales will form a striking event in European history.
For it was not the congregation in St. Paul's alone, it was the
spontaneous gratitude of all ranks and all faiths throughout the three
kingdoms that were offered up to God that morning; the people
sympathized with their Queen, and no sovereign more deserves sympathy.

* * * * *

Vesuvius has exhibited a considerable activity during the winter and
early spring, and frequent streams of lava flowed from the crater, and
especially from the small cone to the north, a little way below the
principal crater. But these streams were small and intermittent, and no
great outbreak was expected. On the 24th April a stream of lava induced
us to drive in the evening to Santa Lucia. The next night, Thursday,
25th April, my daughter Martha, who had been to the theatre, wakened me
that I might see Vesuvius in splendid eruption. This was at about 1
o'clock on Friday morning. Early in the morning I was di