DR. HUNT. 225 



for this by saying that his hunger was extreme, 

 although, added the doctor, ' I never found any 

 ' thing good in the Exstream, but salmon ; at least, 

 ' I thought so, when I was last in Devonshire/ 

 One pun produced another. A celebrated transla- 

 tion from the work of a French bishop was men- 

 tioned, and his opinion asked respecting it. * Why,' 

 said the doctor, ' Bishops are the only authors that 

 ' do not suffer by translation.' When the dinner 

 was nearly concluded, the stranger said, * Dr. Hunt, 

 * I know you are fond of oysters, shall I order some ?"* 

 The doctor started at finding himself known,but rea- 

 dily acquiesced in the proposal. Soon afterwards he 

 was asked if his old horse carried him as well as ever. 

 The doctor stared again. Music and Shakespeare 

 then formed the subject of conversation, with an 

 intimation that his fondness for both were well 

 known. The doctor was now in his element, and 

 descanted on his favourite topics, but he soon found 

 that his companion was scarcely less acquainted 

 with them than himself. This circumstance added 

 to the pleasure they took in each others society, 

 and the evening passed away to their mutual satis- 

 faction. The doctor's new acquaintance was evi- 

 dently a high bred and well-informed man, and 

 he longed to ask him his name, but his own good 

 breeding, and the way in which he had intro- 

 duced himself, prevented his doing so. He was 

 aware that the stranger was acquainted with his 

 L 2 



