230 Life and Times of " The Druid!' 



badly worked, and had greatly fallen off. 

 There was only one way to restore it — work, 

 work, work. He was at it early in the 

 morning, and late at night. He lost not a 

 moment, and in American phrase, " was no 

 slouch." Meantime he claimed credit for 

 nothing except zeal and perseverance. His 

 opponents, on the other hand, attributed his 

 success more to his courteous persuasiveness 

 and capacity for work than to the qualities of 

 his wares. At the inns which he frequented 

 he soon became a general favourite. Other 

 commercial travellers used to pack up his 

 goods, and help him on the way, although 

 themselves his rivals. One day a young 

 commis voyageur, who had just embarked 

 upon the northern circuit, arrived at the 

 Star Hotel, Manchester, and found a dozen 

 travellers hard at work helping George 

 Moore to pack up his goods. " Who is that 

 young fellow they are making such a fuss 

 about?" asked the new-comer. " Oh ! it is 

 only George." " And who may George 

 be?" " What, don't you know the Napo- 

 leon of Watling Street ? Let me introduce 

 you to George Moore." 



