Norris: Diary, July - September, 1904

August Sunday 21 1904

Weather about the same - variable - rain - sun - wind - cool. Arose about 1 o'clock. Took a short walk alone. Back to Metropole. Met a Princeton man class 1904 did not catch name. Went with B to Savoy & there met Brownlee. Talked a while & then went to Church - St. Paul's Cathedral for 7 o'clock service. Then dined at "Savoy". Had a mixed grill which was very good. Met Mr. F. H. Lovell, Mrs. Lovell & their daughter Mrs. Dorsey. Very pleased & surprised to see them. They invited me to dinner tomorrow night at the "Carleton". Went to "Cecil" & met about 5 or 6 Americans, some of the same men I saw there last night. Talked to them about an hour and went to bed.

[BEGIN Clipping of book advertisement inserted into diary page] ON TWO ORDERS OF ARACHNIDA, Opiliones, especially the sub-order Cyphophthalmi, and Ricinulei-- namely, the family Cryptostemmetoidae. By DR. H. J. HANSEN, For. Mem, L.S., and DR. W. SORENSEN. F.R.Dan.Acad.Copenhagen. Published by aid of a subsidy from the Royal Society of London. (Received by the Royal Society 21 May, 1903. Communicated by the Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, F.R.S.) Demy 4to, with nine Plates, 15s. net. [END Clipping of book advertisement inserted into diary page]

The above is an advertizement of a book for sale, in the London Times. I think some time when I get tired of chess as a rest for my weary brain, I should like to read this book.

August Monday 22 1904

Weather same as yesterday, but more rain & a thunder-storm at 3 P.M.

Lot of work in morning shopping. Lunched at Simpson's. The afternoon dragged. Did a little shopping then back to hotel and wrote.

Dined with Mr. & Mrs. Lowell and Mrs. Dorsey at "Carleton". Pleasant evening.

Fribourg and Treyer 34 Haymarket, London W.

The above firm make the finest kind of pipe tobacco - Virginia.

August Tuesday 23 1904

Weather pretty good for London. - cool.

Went to Cambridge to see Dr. Keltie Sec'y.? of The Royal Geographical Soc'y.? who was there attending the meeting of The British Association for the advancement of science. Took lunch at The "University Arms" and then loooked up Dr Keltie who was attending a meeting of the Geographical Soc'y.? in a hall. His Sec'y.? Mr. Reeves came out to see me and said it was unfortunate that it had come at this time as the Royal G. Soc'y? in London was closed for 3 weeks as usual in August & that he & Dr. Keltie were busy entertaining the scientists from all parts of the world in Cambridge. That I could practically get at the British Museum all the maps of the country etc. etc.

Took a guide and went sight-seeing while waiting for return train. Beautiful place, very different from what I had imagined. Went in Immanuel, Kings, Trinity, St. John's colleges. Much impressed with Kings College Chapel. Finest of its kind I had ever seen. Stained glass window and wonderful fan vaulting in ceiling - grounds also very fine. Took train home. Dinner with B. Bed after spending entire evening packing.

August Wednesday 24 1904

Weather pretty good for London - cool. Shipped 1 large black hamper & 1 leather trunk to Tilbury Docks via P & O. office directly across street from Metropole labelled properly for Hold of Steamer "Arcadia" leaving London Aug 26th for Port Said. Worked in afternoon. Dined with B and talked & bed.

August Thursday 25 1904

Weather good for London - cool.

Worked all day until about 4 o'clock when I met Brownless on "Strand. He went to my tailors with me and then we stopped on our way back at the "Cheshire Cheese" tavern "rebuilt in 1678" where we saw Ben Johnson's old seat etc. We then stopped at "Short's" tavern advertized as being the oldest wine shop in London, celebrated for its Port wine and Buns. We tried the combination - wine 7d per glass, buns 1d each and wonderfully good. We picked up Butler at "Metropole" and dined at "Simpson's". The proprietor afterwards took up through the kitchens and wine cellar opened a bottle of fine "Irroy" champagne and then presented us each with a bottle of old Madeira. The proprietors name is Wheeler. They roast their joints by hanging them on chains in front of an open fire and as they are roasted & not baked they have the true flavor. Dropped in at Savoy & "Cecil" & then to bed.