ABSTRACT
Layard was back in London in July 1851. He had made clear announcements to everybody that his archaeological career was over, and his dream was naturally to find a niche in either the diplomatic corps or in politics, but the basis for such dreams was fragile. When he arrived in England he took the train directly to Canford where he was received by cousin Charlotte; she wrote in her diary that she was extremely pleased by this unexpected visit, but ‘poor fellow he is sadly altered and tells me he has suffered much and been very ill’ (Bessborough 1950: 275). From now on he was a daily guest and Charlotte gave a series of parties in his honour. She also went with him to the British Museum to help unpack some of his discoveries, and he entertained both at Canford and before the workers in the ironworks at Dowlais; he told a spellbound audience about his adventures in Arabia and his discoveries, and according to Charlotte he held his audience ‘in a state of breathless attention’.
