WALLIXGFORD 45 



labours to this time-honoured University, a change I had 

 for some little time contemplated. 



At "^Yallingford we again rested, passing the mansion 

 and estate of Basildon, then the property and residence of 

 a baronet with whom I afterwards became acquainted.^ 

 There was nothing to call for any particular notice or to 

 eno-ao;e our attention in this little borouo-h town, where, 

 before the Reform Bill put an extinguisher upon the 

 electoral expectations of the inhabitants, the Miller- used 

 to pay his nocturnal visits to each individual voter. My 

 brother and I walked into the coifee-room of the inn 

 where we had put up, with the intention of reading the 

 London paj^ers, and taking one up, sat down in one of 

 the boxes. I observed a gentleman on the opposite side 

 eye us with what I took to be a look of suspicion, and 

 when the waiter came in he spoke to him, and then 

 Avalked out apparently very much displeased. On asking 

 the waiter what the orentleman had said to him, he 

 replied that he wanted to know what business we had 

 there, as it was a subscription-room. 



This w^as before dinner ; in the evening we went in 

 again to the room, where sat the old gentleman reading 

 the paper that had arrived by that day's post. Observing 

 that he took his eyes off the paper to look at us, I 

 accosted him, '' I am afraid we are unwelcome intruders." 



He replied with a grunt, and continued the perusal of 

 his paper. " When you have done with the pajDer I 

 should be much obli2:ed if vou would allow me to see it," 



^ Sir Francis Sykes. 



~ The name given to the official employed on these interesting 

 occasions. 



