120 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



saint the riotous orgies of a company of mad ducks deep in 

 their favourite liquor ; half-a-dozen doves huddled moping 

 together on the thatch of the stable a sombre tone over every 

 thing, and rain, rain, rain. 



&quot; Hope you rested well, sir,&quot; said the landlord as I reached 

 the foot of the crooked stairs ; &quot; a dirty day, sir. Have your 

 shoes, sir ? What ll you please to have for breakfast, sir ? 

 Steak, sir ? O yes, sir or chop, sir ; give you very nice 

 chop, sir ; yes, sir, thank you, sir. Walk in here, sir 1 Ready 

 shortly, sir.&quot; 



To get to the breakfast I was led through the kitchen, a 

 large room with saddles and box-coats and whips and straps 

 hung up with the bacon on the ceiling and walls. The break 

 fast-room (dining-room) was also much larger than any room 

 you would have supposed from the front of the house it was 

 likely to contain. Its plan was octagonal, with a single great 

 red-curtained bow-window, and stately, high-backed chairs, sug 

 gesting a corporation banquet. 



It is a rainy day in a country inn, dull enough ; nothing to 

 do but write, and for writing I am not inclined. I determine 

 to take the road again and overtake J. and C., who will per 

 haps be waiting for me somewhere on the way to Salisbury. 



&quot; Going on, sir yes, sir.&quot; All my things are brought, 

 dry and warm, and nicely folded ; and now I have curiosity 

 to know w r hat value is placed upon so much suavity and care 

 for my comfort. The landlord meets my request with depre 

 cating gesture and grimace, as if it was a pity that the custom 

 of society made such a form necessary between a host and 

 his guest as if he were about to say &quot; I am grieved that 

 you should mention it ; really it is I that am indebted to you 

 for this honour but if you insist, why&quot; ending the aside-, 

 but still low, hurried, and indistinct &quot; sixpence for bed and 

 a shilling for breakfast, and (shall I say thre pcnce ?} for 



