BACHELOR'S FARE. 153 



But it was at his own house and at 

 his own table that this extraordinary and 

 eccentric being should have been seen, for 

 his character to have been properly appre- 

 ciated. To this his sanctum for his home 

 was seldom invaded I, with one other 

 only of the fraternity, with our wives, 

 were admitted or invited. There every- 

 thing was disposed in the neatest order, 

 and everything provided in the most simple, 

 at the same time elegant and hospitable 

 manner. Though a bachelor, there was 

 no absence of politeness or want of atten- 

 tion to females, however his outward ap- 

 pearance contrasted with that of his more 

 accomplished sister, who boasted of having 

 sat upon gold embroidered ottomans, and 

 fancied herself a Begum. 



Joy beamed from his laughing eye, as his 

 knife entered the smoking and well-com- 

 mended joint ; a heartfelt gratification lent 

 an additional glow to his smiling face, as he 

 looked round and severally helped his wel- 



