SIR ELIAB HARVEY 99 



village through which I passed. I replied in the affirma- 

 tive, and the box-seat being vacant, politely asked him if 

 he would take it. He thanked me, and got up. "We had 

 not proceeded far before I was convinced, from some 

 observations that fell in connection with the place of his 

 destination, that I was not wrong in my conjecture. 



My companion soon became affable and chatty, asking 

 me many questions as to the names of the mansions we 

 passed and their owners, the quality of the land, &c. In 

 answer to one of these, I purposely substituted Admiral 

 for Sir. At this he looked at me with astonishment, and 

 sharply demanded how I knew he was an admiral. I 

 coolly replied that in my early life I had belonged to the 

 same noble profession as himself ; and though I had not 

 had the honour of sailing with him, it was impossible for 

 any one who knew anything of the service not to have 

 kno'wn, or ever to have forgotten, so distinguished a 

 member of it as Sir Eliab Harvey, saying Avhich I raised 

 my hat from my head. 



" But when and where did you ever see me ? " said the 

 Admiral, imjDatiently. 



" Often," I said, the spirit of former days rising in my 

 throat, and almost choking me — "often; and the last 

 time I saw you was on board the Gladiator, when you 

 were tried by a court-martial, and — " I hesitated. 



"And what. Sir?" 



" And broke." 



With unruffled features, he mildly asked — 



" And what was I broke for, pray ? " When I repeated 

 the verv words he had made use of, he laughed aloud : 

 while I rejoined, that no one felt greater joy than I did 



