Dr. Proctor. I had been long looking out for a house in the neighbourhood of Windsor. I had spent my summer at Windsor for five or six years before, taking lodgings, and I was very fortunate to get a place so suitable for me in every respect as Clewer. When I went down to look at it, a large bed of violets took my fancy very much, and I saw that the timber, &c., was very fine, and that the faults I saw in the grounds might be easily remedied. I therefore had no difficulty in making up my mind to take it.

On the 15th September 1859 I lost my oldest and best friend in the death of Mr. Brunel. He had been far from well for two or three years past, and during that time had been much worried by the Great Eastern steamship. This was his last great work; not satisfied with the size of the Great Britain, he conceived and designed this noble ship. By his death the greatest of England's engineers was lost, the man of the greatest originality of thought and power of execution, bold in his plans, but right. The commercial world thought him extravagant, but although he was so, great things are not done by those who sit down and count the cost of every thought and act. He was a true and sincere friend, a man of the highest honour, and his loss was deeply deplored by all who had the pleasure to know him. He had a curious accident many years before his death. Playing with a child, he managed to swallow a half sovereign, which went into his chest, and

many attempts were made to get it out, without success. He himself suggested the plan which succeeded. He had a frame made swinging like a looking-glass on the centre, to which he was fastened, and then suddenly turned with his head downwards. They failed at first to get it out, but another attempt succeeded, and it was a great joy to his medical men and all with him to see it fall on the floor.

I shall ever feel a deep sense of gratitude to Mr. Brunel for all his kindness and support, from the day I first saw him in 1837.

CHAPTER III.

THE "GREAT EASTERN" STEAMSHIP AND THE ATLANTIC CABLE-LAYINg expeditION OF 1865.

(1860-1865.)

1860. The shareholders of the Great Eastern steamship, being out of humour with their directors, at the meeting in February determined to turn them all out and elect a new board. I was requested to form one of the new board, and was elected. After our election we determined to complete the ship fit for sea, and send her a voyage to America as early as we could. I went down to Southampton and took the direction of all the engineering department of the ship. Very many alterations and additions were required both in the general fittings and machinery, the Board of Trade requirements being very large. We raised £100,000 by debentures, and worked hard to get her ready to sail in June. The former captain of the ship, who had been looking after her building (Captain Harrison), was drowned early in the year in Southampton Water, and we had to appoint a new man. We selected Captain Hall. All was sufficiently complete for us to take our departure in