DR. HUNT. 221 



contemplating an intelligent and benevolent mind, 

 addressing itself to their hearts by means of objects 

 which were immediately before them. 



As they approached the house, they were met 

 by Mrs. Hastings, who informed her husband that 

 his old college friend, Dr. Hunt, had just arrived. 

 This information seemed to give Dr. Hastings 

 much pleasure, and he told his companions that 

 they would meet a man of considerable learning 

 and acquirements, but of great eccentricity, absence 

 of mind and peculiarity of manners. He was 

 devotedly attached to antient music, especially 

 Handel's, and Dr. Hastings said that he had no 

 doubt that he was then on his way to a music- 

 meeting which was about to take place in a distant 

 county. He was also an enthusiastic admirer of 

 Shakespeare, knowing all his finest passages by 

 heart, and interlarding his discourse with quota- 

 tions from his favourite author. He made all his 

 long journies on the back of a strong, powerful 

 horse, which not only conveyed the Doctor, but his 

 travelling wardrobe also. 



The party met in the library before dinner, and 

 the usual introductions took place. Dr. Hunt was 

 turning over the leaves of a book, and hardly 

 deigned to notice Mr. Eames, and Mr. Hilary, 

 entertaining a strong prejudice against Londoners, 

 as he called them. When dinner was announced, 

 Dr. Hunt obeyed the summons with considerable 



