SIR FRANCIS SYKES. 239 



University, a change I had for some little 

 time contemplated. 



At Wallingford we again rested, passing 

 the mansion and estate of Basildon, then 

 the property and residence of a Baronet 

 with whom I afterwards became acquaint- 

 ed.* There was nothing to call for any 

 particular notice or to engage our atten- 

 tion in this little Borough town, where, 

 before the Reform Bill put an extin- 

 guisher upon the electoral expectations 

 of the inhabitants, the Miller If used to pay 

 his nocturnal visits to each individual 

 voter. My brother and I walked into the 

 coffee-room of the Inn where we had 

 put up, with the intention of reading 

 the London papers, and taking one up, 

 sat down in one of the boxes. I ob- 

 served a gentleman on the opposite side 

 eye us with what I took to be a look 



* Sir Francis Sykes. 



t The name given to the official employed on these in- 

 teresting occasions. 



