146 HOSPITALITY. 



ture, and the mutability of mundane 

 affairs ; and I was about to take leave 

 of my kind chaperon, when he stopped 

 me, and said, " His lordship has desired 

 me to offer you some refreshment." Now, 

 although my mind was wrapped in me- 

 ditation, I was generally alive to the 

 comforts of the body; and as my walk 

 had been a lengthened one, measured 

 more by time than distance, I freely ac- 

 cepted his invitation, and entering a 

 pleasant apartment, I found everything 

 prepared, that could tempt the most fas- 

 tidious as well as satisfy the most crav- 

 ing appetite. After doing ample justice 

 to both solids and liquids, addressing my 

 friend, whom I concluded to be the steward, 

 I said: 



" May I be allowed to ask, to whom 

 I am indebted for this more than com- 

 mon mark of hospitality to you, sir, or 

 his lordship ? " 



