308 PRÆTERITA-II

hoar-frost formed in larger crystals on the ribs and edges of leaves than in other places?” (on other parts of the leaf, I meant)-question which I had thought asked for the first time in my ice-study of ’79,¹ and which is not answered yet.

The entry next day is also worth copying:-

“Read the Clementina part of Sir Charles Grandison. I never met with anything which affected me so powerfully; at present I feel disposed to place this work above all other works of fiction I know. It is very, very grand; and has, I think, a greater practical effect on me for good than anything I ever read in my life.”²

I find my first lessons from Harding were also at this time; very delightful for what they were worth, though I saw well enough his shortcomings. But it was lovely to see him draw, in his own way, and up to a certain point. His knowledge of tree form was true, and entirely won for himself, with an honest original perception. Also, he was

¹ [See ch. iii. (“Bruma Artifex”) of Deucalion, vol. ii. (Vol. XXVI. pp. 347-350).]

² [The MS. here adds the following passage:-

“A loose entry or two from those days may be permitted-before I tear up the ill-written and mostly useless leaves.

“July 6th, ’41.-(Just after returning from Wendlebury.) Dined with Turner, Jones, and Nesfield at Griffith’s yesterday. Turner there is no mistaking for a moment-his keen eye and dry sentences can be the signs only of high intellect. Jones a fine, grey, quiet, Spectator-like ‘gentleman.’

“July 9th.-Croly, Stewart (John Stewart, a somewhat conceited old Scotch friend), Campbell (I forget who), and Harrison at dinner. Stewart, speaking of Lord Melbourne, said he was a man who always said what he thought. ‘Well, what is it?’ asked Croly.

“July 12.-Want to finish B. C.” (“Broken Chain”) “this week if I can.” (A blessed entry-it was the last poetry I ever wrote, under the impression of having any poetical power.)

“During the winter of 1841-1842 I find bits of notices of meetings of the Geological Society, one important on the 16th December, at which Dr. Buckland gave account of the traces of glaciers in the valleys of Wales, showing that almost every valley of the high region near Snowdon had evidences of them-and saying in conclusion he had stated facts only, and left the members to form their inferences. Dr. Fitten, who was siting next me, whispered that he had fancied the Doctor had been giving them the inferences and leaving them to find out the facts. Such in general the reception of a new truth by that society has always been. I find my first lesson ...”]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]