NED BARTLAM. 31 



few better shots in the country. He is also well 

 skilled as a breaker-in of dogs; and before he 

 became a little crippled with rheumatism, was a 

 first rate cricketer. Indeed, he is still called upon 

 to make up matches in this manly sport, which he 

 duly attends, being referred to on all knotty points, 

 when his decision is held to be Jaw. 



Ned formerly practised medicine in a small 

 country town, where he became acquainted with 

 two or three wealthy families residing in the neigh- 

 bourhood. Owing, however, as it was stated, to 

 the fickleness of a young widow, and some pecu- 

 niary losses, he retired from business with only a 

 few hundred pounds, which were bequeathed to 

 him by the only relation he ever knew. In this 

 situation one of his rich acquaintances, who had 

 a great regard for Ned, offered to let him live in 

 one of the lodges of his park which was but seldom 

 used, and here Ned has been residing for many 

 years. I took an early opportunity of calling upon 

 him, and found his little menage very complete. 

 One part of the lodge contained his sitting-room, 

 with a sort of kitchen adjoining; the other was 

 composed of two bed-rooms, both very small, one 

 being occupied by himself, while the other was 

 appropriated to the use of his housekeeper a 

 respectable cheerful old woman, \vho was not only 

 the picture of neatness herself, but kept every thing 

 about her in the same order. On entering my 



