CHAPTER VI 



ELY 



Congratulations — False Prophets — Eeaction — A Man of Two Call- 

 ings — A Woman of One— The Contrast — Bad Business — 

 Strange Interview — Diplomacy — Fen Farmers — An Awful 

 Visitation— An Honest Man -Strange Predicament — Advice — 

 Matrimony — The Clergy — A Good Bishop — Society — A Lead- 

 ing Feature — The Effects of Ignorance : its Principal Cause — 

 Exceptions — A Keal Eeformer — William Cobbett — A City Hotel 

 — Magnificent Dinner — A New Acquaintance. 



I HAD not long been confirmed in my seat before I 

 received the congratulations of many of the fraternity, 

 some of the most flattering nature, and all rife with 

 prognostications of the vast benefits that would accrue 

 to me from so fortunate an appointment — though the 

 different paths that were to lead to them were 

 ludicrously remarkable. One — my friend of the 

 "Bedford Pilot" — said, in his simplicity, that from 

 what he knew of me he was sure I should have 

 the support of all the University. Another, who 

 drove the " Norwich Telegraph " from Newmarket, 

 assured me that I was the very man to go in among 

 the young 'uns, and monopolize all the betting. A 

 tliird, from Oxford, asked what time I passed through 

 Ware in the evening ; and on my telling him about 

 five, said, " You're all right " — meaning that the retail 

 trade would generally be abundant ; while old Quaker 



