THE TRAVELLER'S ORACLE 143 



proof of which he pointed out how distressing would be 

 the case of one who set out on a long journey with a 

 casual acquaintance, and found out when it was too 

 late to change that his companion was possessed of an 

 insatiable curiosity that led him to examine everything 

 by the way, and rendered him indifferent to weather 

 and meals. 



The "Oracle" laid down a few rules for general de- 

 portment and condud when travelling. "Wear a plain 

 Dress; upon no account display any Ring, Watch, 

 Trinkets, etc. nor assume any Airs of Consequence." 

 The traveller was to provide himself with pens, paper and 

 pencil, and make careful notes of everything he heard or 

 saw by the way. This was on no account to be neglected, 

 and it was implied, though not expressly stated, that 

 some awful penalty awaited those who failed to do so. 



He was also to be liberal; both on his own account, 

 because he would most certainly be made uncomfortable 

 if he was not, and because it was the right and proper 

 thing to do; which caused Dr. Kitchiner to branch off 

 into a homily on the blessedness of giving. This diffuse 

 habit the worthy doftor was much addi6led to; on the 

 slightest pretext or provocation he would launch out 

 suddenly into such irrelevant topics as the observance 

 of the sabbath, or the bringing up of children. 



Also he dearly loved to point a moral, and to give awful 

 instances of foolhardy men who had stepped aside 

 from the path of virtue, as defined for them in The 

 Traveller'' s Oracle, and were overwhelmed withMisasters 

 in consequence. 



