HOSPITALITY 249 



bluing to form a practical progressive philosophy that 

 has earned for him a title far more enduring than any a 

 sovereign can bestow. 



But I am wandering, as I did years ago among the 

 ruins of that great man's habitation. I turned from it 

 with thoughts on the infirmity of human nature and the 

 mutability of mundane affairs ; and I was about to take 

 leave of my kind chajjeron, when he stopped me, and said, 

 " His lordship has desired me to offer you some refi^esh- 

 ment." Now, although my mind was wrapped in medita- 

 tion, I was generally alive to the comforts of the body ; 

 and as my walk had been a lengthened one, measured 

 more by time than distance, I freely accepted his invita- 

 tion, and entering a pleasant apartment, I foimd every- 

 thing jDrepared that could tempt the most fastidious — as 

 well as satisfy the most craving appetite. After doing 

 ample justice to both solids and liquids, addressing my 

 friend, whom I concluded to be the steward, I said, — 



" May I be alloAved to ask to whom I am indebted for 

 this more than common mark of hospitality — to you, sir, 

 or his lordship ? " 



" Oh, his lordship, most certainly." 



" How should that be," I said, " when I am quite a 

 stranger to him ? " 



" Not quite, I believe. Are you not the person who 

 has lately been in correspondence with one of the 

 magistrates, respecting a trespass you committed in 

 Rothamstead Park ? " I answered in the affirmative ; he 

 boAved and said no more. 



I then clearly understood what was meant, particularly 

 as my host and my correspondent were neighbours, as 



