LEAVE OF ABSENCE. 127 



a young married couple, very like specimens of that variety in 

 general, and perhaps they may afford amusement. Then we 

 have a quiet old bachelor, like myself, and I think he will suit me 

 very well. He is going out (poor man !) to endure an income 

 of 12,0007. per annum — endure I say, advisedly, for 'tis his first 

 voyage, and he does not yet know the delights of a nabob's life, 

 and doubtless when he returns it will be with more of the 

 presence of a man of pockets than he has just now. Of young 

 ladies the result is yet unknown ; we shall see by and by. The 

 arrangements for walking are good — a fine sweep of quarter- 

 deck — and the poop affords room for lounging to perfection, so 

 I hope we shall get on pleasantly. I hear a voice saying, " Is 

 the chess-board come on board ?" so I suppose we shall have a 

 little of that dissipation. 



My cabin is snug, and I have two book-shelves : the one con- 

 tains Cowper and Crabbe — my companions — and a few books of 

 light reading ; the other — which is secured with double stanchions 

 — is full of weight and wisdom, the contents being selected by 

 our friend the Doctor, to whom I gave the order, " Let me have 

 47. worth of Divinity ;" and for this sum I have a good many of 

 the old worthies — quite enough of that sort of reading to keep 

 me in tune. I was rather badly off for a variety of such food, 



of which I have now a full supply, and (as Dr. ¥ r chooses 



it) doubtless of the best flavour. 



