12 HIGHGATE ARCHWAY 



intimating the existence of a compact between him and 

 the noble poet ; '' and now, my dear sir," he added, " do 

 you do the same. I am sure it is in you; therefore, 

 pray turn your mind to it." I took my leave of him that 

 morning, thanking him for his company ; but thinking 

 little of his knowledge of my understanding. 



About two or three Aveeks after this, I was proceeding 

 one evening at a pretty good pace through Highgate 

 Archway, the spot where I usually met the mails, six in 

 number, coming out of London, when one of them hailed 

 me to pull up, as he had done. I did so, and imme- 

 diately the door of the Holyhead mail opened ; a 

 gentleman got out, and, coming towards me, j^laced one 

 foot on my roller-bolt, his left hand holding by my box- 

 iron, I instantly recognized my friend, R. W. Elliston, 

 who hurriedly said, " Give me your hand : I have this 

 day become the lessee of Drury Lane, signed and sealed 

 not two hours ago ; now, I look to you to help me all 

 you can — so write me a play, and set about it as early as 

 j)ossible." I could not restrain a smile, as he grasped my 

 hand ; though I mshed him all the success he could 

 desire in so o-io-antic an undertakinsf. He returned to 

 his vehicle — to digest the extra bottle of wine I supposed 

 he must have taken on such an occasion — while I 

 remained to ruminate on the infatuation of a man so well 

 up in most things, but who had studied his fellow-man to 

 very little purpose. 



I must now draw on my memory for an example of 

 another class of persons. 



Idlers, in search of health, pleasure, or amusement, 

 sometimes took their seats in the only conveyance that 



