THE RECTORY. 207 



tolerably well read in the passing literature of the 

 day. 



Living as Mr. Eaines and Mr. Hilary did in 

 what is called the best society of London, they 

 were both struck with the charms of Dr. Hast- 

 ings' conversation, and the quiet and unpretend- 

 ing simplicity of his manners. Few people indeed 

 could be in his company without entertaining 

 a more than ordinary regard for him. He had 

 a cheerful, if not a playful manner, and described 

 the agremens of his country life with so much 

 enthusiasm, that he did not quit town before his 

 new friends had promised to pay him a visit at his 

 rectory. Nothing perhaps tended more to draw 

 this promise from them than the description Dr. 

 Hastings gave of a beautiful trout and salmon 

 river in his neighbourhood and of the sport to be 

 had in it. They had read ' honest Izaac Walton,' 

 and like many others, fancied there must be a 

 charm in angling which perhaps is not always to 

 be found when it is carried into practice. The 

 promise however was given, and as we shall pre- 

 sently see, was carried into effect. 



The clerical duties of Dr. Hastings did not 

 admit of a long continuance in London, and he, 

 therefore, returned to his Parsonage at Chesterton, 

 and now, reader, bear with me awhile until I have 

 described it. 



Dr. Hastings 1 residence was situated beneath a 



