treatise, which he had called: "Attempts at a few well-meant patriotic utterances for the welfare of my country, by Anonymous," as he called himself out of modesty.
To the profound study of this intellectual gold mine, many shrewd opinions, as might easily be imagined, owed their birth. That he himself, at least, was convinced of their excellence, the cunning look in the grey blinking eyes which he directed towards me left me no doubt; there was, however, no want of "well-meant
patriotic utterances" in his conversation, the quality of which can best be judged by those who have had the opportunity of glancing over the above-named treatise, or his large unprinted essay about the tithes. But all this display of wisdom was lost upon me; I had it at my fingers' ends, having now heard it for the twenty-third time. I am not endowed with the patience of an angel; but what could I do? The retreat to my room was cut off,—they had been washing the floor for Sunday, and the room was no doubt steaming with vapour from the damp boards. Having made a
