Most of them are gentlemen, too, to a certain
extent,--some more than others, perhaps; and none to a very exquisite
point, or, if so, it is none the better for them as sailors or as men.
September 17th.--It is singular to feel a sense of my own country
returning upon me with the intercourse of the people whom I find
here. . . . .
The doctor is much the most talkative of our company, and sometimes bores
me thereby; though he seldom says anything that is not either instructive
or amusing. He tells a curious story of Prince Albert, and how he avails
himself of American sharp-shooting. During the doctor's tour in
Scotland, which he has just finished, he became acquainted with one of
the Prince's attaches, who invited him very earnestly to join his Royal
highness's party, promising him a good gun, and a keeper to load it for
him, two good dogs, besides as many cigars as he could smoke and as much
wine as he could drink, on the condition that whatever game he shot
should be the Prince's. "The Prince," said the attache, "is very fond of
having Americans in his shooting-parties, on account of their being such
excellent shots; and there was one with him last year who shot so
admirably that his Royal Highness himself left off shooting in utter
astonishment." The attache offered to introduce the doctor to the
Prince, who would be certain to receive him very graciously. . . . .
I think, perhaps, we talk of kings and queens more at our table than
people do at other tables in England; not, of course, that we like them
better, or admire them more, but that they are curiosities.
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