56 FARMERS. 



quite a novelty in this small but ancient 

 city, it was not long before I made the 

 acquaintance of some of the principal 

 inhabitants. In the settlement of the 

 business I had gained the good opinion 

 of the Ely proprietor, who, as I have 

 said, was an extensive brewer, and he 

 took pleasure in introducing me to 

 the natives, as well as the surrounding 

 yeomen. He gave up part of his 

 time to my society, sometimes coming to 

 my splendid hotel that is, the one I 

 have before spoken of, for there I took 

 up my temporary abode where most of 

 the floors were of brick, and a carpet 

 almost unknown, and, with another friend 

 or two, would propose a rubber of 

 whist ; sometimes, on a market-day, I 

 would take wine with him in the farmers' 

 room. 



On one occasion, I remember, two men 

 of this class, well known for their great 

 wealth, their great bulk, and their great 



