A GROUNDLESS ANECDOTE. 195 



at his table. Water or tea was their symposial 

 beverage. 



AMICUS. What you say reminds me of a 

 little anecdote, which I have read, how Sir 

 Walter Scott, a man of more luxurious habits, 

 when a guest of Wordsworth, not satisfied with 

 such a paradisaical mode of living, after his 

 dinner, was wont to resort to the public-house 

 for a draught of home-brewed; and, at the 

 same time, to avoid giving offence, would say 

 he was going to take a meditative stroll. 



PISCATOR. And, one day walking earlier 

 than usual, with his friend, and coming to the 

 inn, he was addressed by the publican, " Ay, 

 Master Scott ! you are early to-day for your 

 drink," thus disclosing the secret. So runs the 

 story, does it not ? 



AMICUS. Precisely so. Is it not true ? 



PISCATOR. It is one of the many stories that 

 might be true, but are not true. It was the 

 invention of an author who too often did not 

 distinguish between the creations of his fancy 

 and the realities occurring around him ; and 

 by fine writing and a happy style, always gave 

 the air of truth to his narrative. Scott, I 

 know, once only, and for a day, visited Words- 



