30 A CHARACTER 



time beyond what I thought was necessary, I was about 

 to raise the knocker a second time, when I heard a heavy 

 tread approaching. The door was next opened wide, and 

 an object presented itself to my view that I shall 

 not easily forget — a huge specimen of the genus homo, in 

 his shirt and trousers — the former with the sleeves 

 tucked up and the collar unbuttoned and thrown 

 back, exhibited a chest and pair of shoulders that 

 reminded me of the boatswain whose extraordinary feat 

 I have related in the second chaj^ter. His throat and 

 neck were like the mutilated statue of Hercules in 

 the Disney collection at Cambridge ; and were sur- 

 mounted by a head that resembled very much the 

 jDortrait painted on the hind boot of the LiverjDOol coach, 

 intended to represent a Saracen ; indeed, a cast of 

 his bust, as exposed to me that morning, would have 

 done very well for the sign on Snow Hill. His inflated 

 cheeks shone like burnished copper ; his large prominent 

 eyes were red with the effects of recent indulgence. 

 Huge drops of perspiration stood upon his expansive 

 brow, as he held out his hand, which in shape and 

 size was like a shoulder of mutton, and said, in a 

 voice not the most musical in the world, — 



" How are ye ? " calling me by name. " Walk in — I'm 



d glad to see ye — it's d hot, ain't it ? " then 



turning round and sending out a puff, that I can only 

 compare to the expiring blast of a blacksmith's bellows, 

 he led the way into the parlour. Surprised at his 

 address, as well as his figure, I scarcely knew what to 

 say ; and he, by way of apologizing for his undress, 

 stroked his chin, and told me that he was just going 



