SKETCHES BY A PRACTISING ARCHITECT. 71 



state among the wonders of Nubia, to sit waiting for 

 half an hour in the cold, on the polished oak bottom 

 of an old citizen's hall chair. The powdered footman 

 /night have asked him to walk into some unoccupied 

 parlour, with a fire and newspaper to prevent shivers 

 and tedium. However, he'll catch it, when his mas- 

 ter knows whom he has abandoned to the exclusive 

 contemplation of hat pegs and oil cloth. Yet he sent 

 in his name — a name well known to the proud cit. 

 By the marbles of Pentilicus, but this is wondrous 

 strange. 



He is, at length, summoned into the library, when 

 old Fullmoney throws balm on his hurt mind by 

 hoping he has " not waited long ;" by fearing he must 

 have "found it cold;" and by telling him, finally, 

 he is " happy to see him.'' 



" Well, sir : your parents speak wonders of you. 

 You have recently returned from your travels ? — and 

 which do you like best, England or France ?" 



"Why, really, sir, I know little of France: — the 

 mere entrance lodge to the vast domain of continental 

 art. Besides, sir, it was not my part to cultivate any 

 partiality for soil or climate, people, or their laws and 

 customs. My sole motive, sir, was the attainment of 

 professional erudition ; and, in Italy. '^ — 



"O, — you've been to (stirring the fire) Italy, have ye?" 



" Yes, sir ; and thence through Sicily and Greece." — 



" Greece, too, have ye ? '^ — (ringing the bell.) 



" Yes, sir ; and thence to Egypt " — 



"John : more coals. — To where, sir ? " 



^^ Egypt, sir;"— 



" Indeed ! — Did ye see any crocodiles ?" 



" Why, sir, they are frequently to be seen ; but, I 

 was so taken up with inspecting the numerous 

 temples," — 



" Aye, — in search of mummies, I suppose. Curi- 

 ous mummies, those, at Bullock's Museum, eh? — 

 What have you there ?" — 



" A few of my drawings, sir, made upon the spot, 

 and laid down to actual measurement. This, sir, ex- 



