Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/228

222 222 JOURNAL AND LETTERS OF DAVID DOUGLAS. His company was now courted, and unfortunately for his peace of mind he could not withstand the temptation (so natural to the human heart) of appearing as one of the Lions among the learned and scientific men in London ; to many of whom he was introduced by his friend and patron, Mr. Sabine. Flattered by their attention, and by the notoriety of his botanical discoveries, which were ex- hibited at the meetings of the Horticultural Society, or published in the leading periodicals of the day, he seemed for a time as if he had obtained the summit of his ambi- tion. But alas! when the novelty of his situation had subsided, he began to perceive that he had been pursuing a shadow instead of a reality." As some further compen- sation for his meritorious services, the Council of the Hor- ticultural Society agreed to grant him the profits which might accrue from the publication of the Journal of his Travels, in the preparation of which for the press he was offered the assistance of Mr. Sabine and Dr. Lindley; and Mr. Murray of Albemarle-Street was consulted on the sub- ject. But this proffered kindness was rejected by Mr. Douglas, and he had thoughts of preparing the Journal entirely himself. He was, however, but little suited for the undertaking, and accordingly, although he laboured at it during the time he remained in England, we regret to say, he never completed it. His temper became more sensitive than ever, and himself restless and dissatisfied ; so that his best friends could not but wish, as he himself did, that he were again occupied in the honorable task of exploring North-west America. The Hudson's Bay Com- pany, as upon the former occasion, made a most liberal offer of assistance, and it was resolved that he should go again to the Columbia River, partly at the expense of the Horticultural Society and partly with assistance of the Co- lonial Office ; for his geographical observations and the friendship of Mr. Sabine had recommended him to the