A EIDE TO MAGNESIA. 149 



one another about us, staring at the same time with 

 all their eyes, and pointing unconstrainedly to the 

 individual or object that happened for the time 

 being to engage their curiosity. Many addressed 

 inquiries to us, and shrugged their shoulders at our 

 ignorance of a language with which, probably, they 

 had never before met any one unacquainted. These 

 gentlemen, be it remembered, were not of the sober 

 inhabitants, but chance occupants of the inn mer- 

 chants and vagabonds of all kinds. Merchants among 

 them always are vagabonds, men who travel with 

 their wares from one place to another, according to 

 the complexion of markets. 



We were at least as much amused at marking 

 them as they were with us, and not much more 

 constrained in our personal observations. Many an 

 equivocal compliment fell harmless on their ears, 

 which, had it been understood, would have ruffled 

 their smiles. At last an individual entered, who 

 evidently came on business. He made a short an- 

 nouncement to us, and waited for a reply. Of course 

 no reply was forthcoming, except some general invita- 

 tion to sit down and make himself happy. This he 

 was by no means disposed to do. He repeated his 

 words with an emphasis that seemed to imply that 

 he was not to be trifled with, and that it was no use 

 pretending not to understand him. He exemplified 

 what I suppose to be a general fallacy of our nature, 

 for I have often encountered the same anomaly, 



