InaboutanhourIcametoawildmoor；themoorextendedformilesandmiles。Itwasboundedontheeastandsouthbyimmensehillsandmoels。OnIwalkedataroundpace，thesunscorchingmesore，alongadusty，hillyroad，nowup，nowdown。Nothingcouldbeconceivedmorecheerlessthanthesceneryaround。Thegroundoneachsideoftheroadwasmossyandrushy—nohouses—insteadofthemwereneatstacks，hereandthere，standingintheirblackness。
Nothinglivingtobeseenexceptafewmiserablesheeppickingthewretchedherbage，orlyingpantingontheshadysideofthepeatclumps。AtlengthIsawsomethingwhichappearedtobeasheetofwateratthebottomofalowgroundonmyright。Itlookedfaroff—\"ShallIgoandseewhatitis？\"thoughtItomyself。\"No，\"
thoughtI。\"Itistoofaroff\"—soonIwalkedtillIlostsightofit，whenIrepentedandthoughtIwouldgoandseewhatitwas。
SoIdasheddownthemooryslopeonmyright，andpresentlysawtheobjectagain—andnowIsawthatitwaswater。Ispedtowardsitthroughgorseandheather，occasionallyleapingadeepdrain。AtlastIreachedit。Itwasasmalllake。WeariedandpantingI
flungmyselfonitsbankandgazeduponit。
Therelaythelakeinthelowbottom，surroundedbytheheatheryhillocks；thereitlayquitestill，thehotsunreflecteduponitssurface，whichshonelikeapolishedblueshield。Neartheshoreitwasshallow，atleastnearthatshoreuponwhichIlay。Butfartheron，myeye，practisedindecidinguponthedepthsofwaters，sawreasontosupposethatitsdepthwasverygreat。AsI
gazeduponitmymindindulgedinstrangemusings。Ithoughtoftheafanc，acreaturewhichsomehavesupposedtobetheharmlessandindustriousbeaver，othersthefrightfulanddestructivecrocodile。Iwonderedwhethertheafancwasthecrocodileorthebeaver，andspeedilyhadnodoubtthatthenamewasoriginallyappliedtothecrocodile。
\"Oh，whocandoubt，\"thoughtI，\"thatthewordwasoriginallyintendedforsomethingmonstrousandhorrible？Istherenotsomethinghorribleinthelookandsoundofthewordafanc，somethingconnectedwiththeopeningandshuttingofimmensejaws，andtheswallowingofwrithingprey？IsnotthewordafittingbrotheroftheArabictimsah，denotingthedreadhornylizardofthewaters？Moreover，havewenotthevoiceoftraditionthattheafancwassomethingmonstrous？DoesitnotsaythatHutheMighty，theinventorofhusbandry，whobroughttheCumryfromthesummer—
country，drewtheoldafancoutofthelakeoflakeswithhisfourgiganticoxen？Wouldhehavehadrecoursetothemtodrawoutthelittleharmlessbeaver？Oh，surelynot。YethaveInodoubtthatwhenthecrocodilehaddisappearedfromthelands，wheretheCumriclanguagewasspoken，thenameafancwasappliedtothebeaver，probablyhissuccessorinthepool，thebeavernowcalledinCumricLlostlydan，orthebroad—tailed，fortradition’svoiceisstrongthatthebeaverhasatonetimebeencalledtheafanc。\"ThenI
wonderedwhetherthepoolbeforemehadbeenthehauntoftheafanc，consideredbothascrocodileandbeaver。Isawnoreasontosupposethatithadnot。\"Ifcrocodiles，\"thoughtI，\"everexistedinBritain，andwhoshallsaythattheyhavenot，seeingthatthereremainshavebeendiscovered，whyshouldtheynothavehauntedthispool？IfbeaverseverexistedinBritain，anddonottraditionandGiraldussaythattheyhave，whyshouldtheynothaveexistedinthispool？
\"Atatimealmostinconceivablyremote，whenthehillsaroundwerecoveredwithwoods，throughwhichtheelkandthebisonandthewildcowstrolled，whenmenwererarethroughoutthelandsandunlikeinmostthingstothepresentrace—atsuchaperiod—andsuchaperiodtherehasbeen—Icaneasilyconceivethattheafanc—crocodilehauntedthispool，andthatwhentheelkorbisonorwildcowcametodrinkofitswatersthegrimbeastwouldoccasionallyrushforth，andseizinghisbellowingvictim，wouldreturnwithittothedeepsbeforemetoluxuriateathiseaseuponitsflesh。Andatatimelessremote，whenthecrocodilewasnomore，andthoughthewoodsstillcoveredthehills，andwildcattlestrolledabout，menweremorenumerousthanbefore，andlessunlikethepresentrace，Icaneasilyconceivethislaketohavebeenthehauntoftheafanc—beaver，thatheherebuiltcunninglyhishouseoftreesandclay，andthattothislakethenativewouldcomewithhisnetandhisspeartohunttheanimalforhispreciousfur。
Probablyifthedepthsofthatpoolweresearchedrelicsofthecrocodileandthebeavermightbefound，alongwithotherstrangethingsconnectedwiththeperiodsinwhichtheyrespectivelylived。
HappywereIifforabriefspaceIcouldbecomeaCingalesethatI
mightswimoutfarintothatpool，divedownintoitsdeepestpartandendeavourtodiscoveranystrangethingswhichbeneathitssurfacemaylie。\"MuchinthisguiserolledmythoughtsasIlaystretchedonthemarginofthelake。
SatiatedwithmusingIatlastgotupandendeavouredtoregaintheroad。Ifounditatlast，thoughnotwithoutconsiderabledifficulty。Ipassedovermoors，blackandbarren，alongadustyroadtillIcametoavalley；Iwasnowalmostchokedwithdustandthirst，andlongedfornothingintheworldsomuchasforwater；
suddenlyIhearditsblessedsound，andperceivedarivuletonmylefthand。Itwascrossedbytwobridges，oneimmenselyoldandterriblydilapidated，theotheroldenough，butinbetterrepair—
wentanddrankundertheoldestbridgeofthetwo。Thewatertastedofthepeatofthemoors，neverthelessIdrankgreedilyofit，foronemustnotbeover—delicateuponthemoors。
RefreshedwithmydraughtIproceededbrisklyonmyway，andinalittletimesawarangeofwhitebuildings，divergingfromtheroadontherighthand，thegableofthefirstabuttinguponit。Akindoffarm—yardwasbeforethem。Arespectable—lookingwomanwasstandingintheyard。Iwentuptoherandinquiredthenameoftheplace。
\"Thesehouses，sir，\"saidshe，\"arecalledTaiHirionMignaint。
LookoverthatdoorandyouwillseeT。H。whichlettersstandforTaiHirion。Mignaintisthenameoftheplacewheretheystand。\"
Ilooked，anduponastonewhichformedthelintelofthemiddlemostdoorIread\"T。H1630。\"
ThewordsTaiHirionitwillbeaswelltosaysignifythelonghouses。
Ilookedlongandsteadfastlyattheinscription，mymindfullofthoughtsofthepast。
\"Manyayearhasrolledbysincethesehouseswerebuilt，\"saidI，asIsatdownonastepping—stone。
\"Manyindeed，sir，\"saidthewoman，\"andmanyastrangethinghashappened。\"
\"DidyoueverhearofoneOliverCromwell？\"saidI。
\"Oh，yes，sir，andofKingCharlestoo。Themenofbothhavebeeninthisyardandhavebaitedtheirhorses；aye，andhavemountedtheirhorsesfromthestoneonwhichyousit。\"
\"Isupposetheywerehardlyheretogether？\"saidI。
\"No，no，sir，\"saidthewoman，\"theywerebloodyenemies，andcouldneversettheirhorsestogether。\"
\"Aretheselonghouses，\"saidI，\"inhabitedbydifferentfamilies？\"
\"Onlybyone，sir，theymakenowonefarm—house。\"
\"Areyouthemistressofit，\"saidI。
\"Iam，sir，andmyhusbandisthemaster。CanIbringyouanything，sir？\"
\"Somewater，\"saidI，\"forIamthirsty，thoughIdrankundertheoldbridge。\"
Thegoodwomanbroughtmeabasinofdeliciousmilkandwater。
\"Whatarethenamesofthetwobridges，\"saidI，\"alittlewayfromhere？\"
\"Theyarecalled，sir，theoldandnewbridgeofTaiHirion；atleastwecallthemso。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoucalltheffrwdthatrunsbeneaththem？\"
\"Ibelieve，sir，itiscalledtheriverTwerin。\"
\"Doyouknowalakefarupthereamidstthemoors？\"
\"Ihaveseenit，sir；theycallitLlynTwerin。\"
\"DoestheriverTwerinflowfromit？\"
\"Ibelieveitdoes，sir，butIdonotknow。\"
\"Isthelakedeep？\"
\"Ihaveheardthatitisverydeep，sir，somuchsothatnobodyknowsit’sdepth。\"
\"Aretherefishinit？\"
\"Digon，sir，digoniawn，andsomeverylarge。IoncesawaPen—
hwyadfromthatlakewhichweighedfiftypounds。\"
AfteralittlefartherconversationIgotup，andthankingthekindwomandeparted。IsoonleftthemoorsbehindmeandcontinuedwalkingtillIcametoafewhousesonthemarginofameadoworfeninavalleythroughwhichthewaytrendedtotheeast。Theywerealmostovershadowedbyanenormousmountainwhichrosebeyondthefenonthesouth。Seeingahousewhichboreasign，andatthedoorofwhichahorsestoodtied，Iwentin，andawomancomingtomeetmeinakindofpassage，IaskedherifIcouldhavesomeale。
\"Ofthebest，sir，\"shereplied，andconductedmedownthepassageintoaneatroom，partlykitchen，partlyparlour，thewindowofwhichlookedoutuponthefen。Arustic—lookingmansatsmokingatatablewithajugofalebeforehim。Isatdownnearhim，andthegoodwomanbroughtmeasimilarjugofale，whichontastingI
foundexcellent。Myspiritswhichhadbeenforsometimeveryflaggingpresentlyrevived，andIenteredintoconversationwithmycompanionatthetable。FromhimIlearnedthathewasafarmeroftheneighbourhood，thatthehorsetiedbeforethedoorbelongedtohim，thatthepresenttimeswereverybadfortheproducersofgrain，withveryslightlikelihoodofimprovement；thattheplaceatwhichwewerewascalledRhydyfen，orthefordacrossthefen；
thatitwasjusthalfwaybetweenFestiniogandBala，thattheclergymanoftheparishwascalledMrPughe，agoodkindofman，butverypurblindinaspiritualsense；andfinallythattherewasnosafereligionintheworld，savethatoftheCalvinistic—
Methodists，towhichmycompanionbelonged。
HavingfinishedmyaleIpaidforit，andleavingtheCalvinisticfarmerstillsmoking，IdepartedfromRhydyfen。OnIwentalongthevalley，theenormoushillonmyright，amoelofabouthalfitsheightonmyleft，andatallhillboundingtheprospectintheeast，thedirectioninwhichIwasgoing。Afteralittletime，meetingtwowomen，Iaskedthemthenameofthemountaintothesouth。
\"ArenigVawr，\"theyreplied，orsomethinglikeit。
PresentlymeetingfourmenIputthesamequestiontotheforemost，astout，burly，intelligent—lookingfellow，ofaboutfifty。Hegavemethesamenameasthewomen。Iaskedifanybodyliveduponit。
\"No，\"saidhe，\"toocoldforman。\"
\"Fox？\"saidI。
\"No！toocoldforfox。\"
\"Crow？\"saidI。
\"No，toocoldforcrow；crowwouldbestarveduponit。\"Hethenlookedmeintheface，expectingprobablythatIshouldsmile。
I，however，lookedathimwithallthegravityofajudge，whereuponhealsoobservedthegravityofajudge，andwecontinuedlookingateachotherwithallthegravityofjudgestillwebothsimultaneouslyturnedaway，hefollowedbyhiscompanionsgoinghispath，andIgoingmine。
IsubsequentlyrememberedthatArenigismentionedinaWelshpoem，thoughinanythingbutaflatteringandadvantageousmanner。ThewritercallsitArenigddiffaithorbarrenArenig，andsaysthatitinterceptsfromhimtheviewofhisnativeland。Arenigiscertainlybarrenenough，forthereisneithertreenorshrubuponit，butthereissomethingmajesticinitshugebulk。OfallthehillswhichIsawinWalesnonemadeagreaterimpressionuponme。
TowardseveningIarrivedataverysmallandprettyvillageinthemiddleofwhichwasatollgate。Seeinganoldwomanseatedatthedoorofthegate—houseIaskedherthenameofthevillage。\"I
havenoSaesneg！\"shescreamedout。
\"IhaveplentyofCumraeg，\"saidI，andrepeatedmyquestion。
WhereuponshetoldmethatitwascalledTrefyTalcot—thevillageofthetollgate。Thatitwasaverynicevillage，andthatshewasbornthere。ShethenpointedtotwoyoungwomenwhowerewalkingtowardsthegateataveryslowpaceandtoldmetheywereEnglish。\"Idonotknowthem，\"saidI。Theoldlady，whowassomewhatdeaf，thinkingthatIsaidIdidnotknowEnglish，leeredatmecomplacently，andsaidthatinthatcase，Iwaslikeherself，forshedidnotspeakawordofEnglish，addingthatabodyshouldnotbeconsideredafoolfornotspeakingEnglish。Shethensaidthattheyoungwomenhadbeentakingawalktogether，andthattheyweremuchineachother’scompanyforthesakeofconversation，andnowonder，asthepoorsimpletonscouldnotspeakawordofWelsh。
IthoughtofthebeamandmotementionedinScripture，andthencastaglanceofcompassiononthetwopooryoungwomen。ForamomentIfanciedmyselfinthetimesofOwenGlendower，andthatI
sawtwofemales，whomhismaraudershadcarriedofffromCheshireorShropshiretotoilandslaveintheWelshery，walkingtogetherafterthelaboursofthedayweredone，andbemoaningtheirmisfortunesintheirownhomelyEnglish。
ShortlyafterleavingthevillageofthetollgateIcametoabeautifulvalley。Onmyrighthandwasariverthefartherbankofwhichwasfringedwithtrees；onmyleftwasagentleascent，thelowerpartofwhichwascoveredwithrichgrass，andtheupperwithyellowluxuriantcorn；alittlefartheronwasagreengrove，behindwhichroseupamoel。AmorebewitchingsceneIneverbeheld。CeresandPanseemedinthisplacetohavemettoholdtheirbridal。Thesunnowdescendingshonenoblyuponthewhole。
Afterstayingforsometimetogaze，Iproceeded，andsoonmetseveralcarts，fromthedriverofoneofwhichIlearnedthatIwasyetthreemilesfromBala。Icontinuedmywayandcametoabridge，alittlewaybeyondwhichIovertooktwomen，oneofwhom，anoldfellow，heldaverylongwhipinhishand，andtheother，amuchyoungermanwithacaponhishead，ledahorse。WhenIcameuptheoldfellowtookoffhishattome，andIforthwithenteredintoconversationwithhim。IsoongatheredfromhimthathewasahorsedealerfromBala，andthathehadbeenoutontheroadwithhisservanttobreakahorse。IastonishedtheoldmanwithmyknowledgeofWelshandhorses，andlearnedfromhim—forconceivingIwasoneoftherightsort，hewasverycommunicative—
twoorthreecuriousparticularsconnectedwiththeWelshmodeofbreakinghorses。Discourseshortenedthewaytobothofus，andweweresooninBala。Inthemiddleofthetownhepointedtoalargeold—fashionedhouseontherighthand，atthebottomofalittlesquare，andsaid，\"Yourhonourwasjustaskingmeaboutaninn。
ThatisthebestinninWales，andifyourhonourisasgoodajudgeofaninnasofahorse，Ithinkyouwillsaysowhenyouleaveit。Prydnawnda’chwi！\"
CHAPTERXLIX
TomJenkins—AleofBala—SoberMoments—LocalPrejudices—TheStates—UnprejudicedMan—WelshPensilvanianSettlers—DraperyLine—EveningSaunter。
SCARCELYhadIenteredthedooroftheinnwhenamanpresentedhimselftomewithalowbow。Hewasaboutfiftyyearsofage，somewhatabovethemiddlesize，andhadgrizzlyhairandadark，freckledcountenance，inwhichmethoughtIsawaconsiderabledashofhumour。Heworebrownclothes，hadnohatonhishead，andheldanapkininhishand。\"Areyouthemasterofthishotel？\"saidI。
\"No，yourhonour，\"hereplied，\"Iamonlythewaiter，butI
officiateformymasterinallthings；mymasterhasgreatconfidenceinme，sir。\"
\"AndIhavenodoubt，\"saidI，\"thathecouldnotplacehisconfidenceinanyonemoreworthy。\"
Withabowyetlowerthantheprecedingonethewaiterrepliedwithasmirkandagrimace，\"Thanks，yourhonour，foryourgoodopinion。
IassureyourhonourthatIamdeeplyobliged。\"
Hisair，manner，andevenaccent，weresolikethoseofaFrenchman，thatIcouldnotforbearaskinghimwhetherhewasone。
Heshookhisheadandreplied，\"No，yourhonour，no，IamnotaFrenchman，butanativeofthispoorcountry，TomJenkinsbyname。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"youreallylookandspeaklikeaFrenchman，butnowonder；theWelshandFrencharemuchofthesameblood。Pleasenowtoshowmeintotheparlour。\"
Heopenedthedoorofalargeapartment，placedachairbyatablewhichstoodinthemiddle，andthen，withanotherbow，requestedtoknowmyfartherpleasure。AfterorderingdinnerIsaidthatasI
wasthirstyIshouldliketohavesomealeforthwith。
\"Aleyoushallhave，yourhonour，\"saidTom，\"andsomeofthebestalethatcanbedrunk。Thishouseisfamousforale。\"
\"IsupposeyougetyouralefromLlangollen，\"saidI，\"whichiscelebratedforitsaleoverWales。\"
\"GetouralefromLlangollen？\"saidTom，withsneerofcontempt，\"no，noranythingelse。Asforthealeitwasbrewedinthishousebyyourhonour’shumbleservant。\"
\"Oh，\"saidI，\"ifyoubrewedit，itmustofcoursebegood。Praybringmesomeimmediately，forIamanxioustodrinkaleofyourbrewing。\"
\"Yourhonourshallbeobeyed，\"saidTom，anddisappearingreturnedinatwinklingwithatrayonwhichstoodajugfilledwithliquorandaglass。Heforthwithfilledtheglass，andpointingtoitscontentssaid：
\"There，yourhonour，didyoueverseesuchale？Observeitscolour！Doesitnotlookforalltheworldaspaleanddelicateascowslipwine？\"
\"Iwishitmaynottastelikecowslipwine，\"saidI；\"totellyouthetruth，Iamnoparticularadmirerofalethatlookspaleanddelicate；forIalwaysthinkthereisnostrengthinit。\"
\"Tasteit，yourhonour，\"saidTom，\"andtellmeifyouevertastedsuchale。\"
Itastedit，andthentookacopiousdraught。Thealewasindeedadmirable，equaltothebestthatIhadeverbeforedrunk—richandmellow，withscarcelyanysmackofthehopinit，andthoughsopaleanddelicatetotheeyenearlyasstrongasbrandy。I
commendedithighlytotheworthyJenkins，whoexultinglyexclaimed：
\"ThatLlangollenaleindeed！no，no！alelikethat，yourhonour，wasneverbrewedinthattrumperyholeLlangollen。\"
\"YouseemtohaveaverylowopinionofLlangollen？\"saidI。
\"HowcanIhaveanythingbutalowopinionofit，yourhonour？A
trumperyholeitis，andeverwillremainso。\"
\"Manypeopleofthefirstqualitygotovisitit，\"saidI。
\"ThatisbecauseitliessohandyforEngland，yourhonour。Ifitdidnot，nobodywouldgotoseeit。WhatistheretoseeinLlangollen？\"
\"Thereisnotmuchtoseeinthetown，Iadmit，\"saidI，\"butthesceneryaboutitisbeautiful：whatmountains！\"
\"Mountains，yourhonour，mountains！well，wehavemountainstoo，andasbeautifulasthoseofLlangollen。Thenwehaveourlake，ourLlynTegid，thelakeofbeauty。ShowmeanythinglikethatnearLlangollen？\"
\"Then，\"saidI，\"thereisyourmound，yourTomenBala。TheLlangollenpeoplecanshownothinglikethat。\"
TomJenkinslookedatmeforamomentwithsomesurprise，andthensaid：\"Iseeyouhavebeenherebefore，sir。\"
\"No，\"saidI，\"never，butIhavereadabouttheTomenBalainbooks，bothWelshandEnglish。\"
\"Youhave，sir，\"saidTom。\"Well，Iamrejoicedtoseesobook—
learnedagentlemaninourhouse。TheTomenBalahaspuzzledmanyahead。Whatdothebookswhichmentionitsayaboutit，yourhonour？\"
\"Verylittle，\"saidI，\"beyondmentioningit；whatdothepeopleheresayofit？\"
\"Allkindsofstrangethings，yourhonour。\"
\"Dotheysaywhobuiltit？\"
\"SomesaytheTylwythTegbuiltit，othersthatitwascastupoveradeadkingbyhispeople。Thetruthis，nobodyhereknowswhobuiltit，oranythingaboutit，savethatitisawonder。Ah，thosepeopleofLlangollencanshownothinglikeit。\"
\"Come，\"saidI，\"youmustnotbesoharduponthepeopleofLlangollen。Theyappeartomeuponthewholetobeaneminentlyrespectablebody。\"
TheCelticwaitergaveagenuineFrenchshrug。\"Excuseme，yourhonour，forbeingofadifferentopinion。Theyarealldrunkards。\"
\"IhaveoccasionallyseendrunkenpeopleatLlangollen，\"saidI，\"butIhavelikewiseseenagreatmanysober。\"
\"Thatis，yourhonour，youhaveseenthemintheirsobermoments；
butifyouhadwatched，yourhonour，ifyouhadkeptyoureyeonthem，youwouldhaveseenthemreelingtoo。\"
\"ThatIcanhardlybelieve，\"saidI。
\"Yourhonourcan’t！butIcanwhoknowthem。Theyarealldrunkards，andnobodycanliveamongthemwithoutbeingadrunkard。
Therewasmynephew—\"
\"Whatofhim？\"saidI。
\"WhyhewenttoLlangollen，yourhonour，anddiedofadrunkenfeverinlessthanamonth。\"
\"Well，butmighthenothavediedofthesame，ifhehadremainedathome？\"
\"No，yourhonour，no！helivedheremanyayear，andneverdiedofadrunkenfever；hewasratherfondofliquor，itistrue，butheneverdiedatBalaofadrunkenfever；butwhenhewenttoLlangollenhedid。Now，yourhonour，ifthereisnotsomethingmoredrunkenaboutLlangollenthanaboutBala，whydidmynephewdieatLlangollenofadrunkenfever？\"
\"Really，\"saidI，\"youaresuchaclosereasoner，thatIdonotliketodisputewithyou。Oneobservationhowever，Iwishtomake：
IhavelivedatLlangollen，without，Ihope，becomingadrunkard。\"
\"Oh，yourhonourisoutofthequestion，\"saidtheCelticwaiterwithastrangegrimace。\"YourhonourisanEnglishman，anEnglishgentleman，andofcoursecouldliveallthedaysofyourlifeatLlangollenwithoutbeingadrunkard，he，he！WhoeverheardofanEnglishman，especiallyanEnglishgentleman，beingadrunkard，he，he，he。Andnow，yourhonour，prayexcuseme，forImustgoandseethatyourhonour’sdinnerisbeinggotreadyinasuitablemanner。\"
ThereuponheleftmewithabowyetlowerthananyIhadpreviouslyseenhimmake。IfhismannersputmeinmindofthoseofaFrenchman，hislocalprejudicesbroughtpowerfullytomyrecollectionthoseofaSpaniard。TomJenkinsswearsbyBalaandabusesLlangollen，andcallsitspeopledrunkards，justasaSpaniardexaltshisownvillageandvituperatesthenextanditsinhabitants，whom，thoughhewillnotcallthemdrunkards，unlessindeedhehappenstobeaGallegan，hewillnothesitatetoterm\"unacatervadepillosyembusteros。\"
Thedinnerwhenitappearedwasexcellent，andconsistedofmanymorearticlesthanIhadordered。Afterdinner，asIsat\"trifling\"withmycoldbrandyandwater，anindividualentered，ashortthickdumpymanaboutthirty，withbrownclothesandabroadhat，andholdinginhishandalargeleatherbag。Hegavemeafamiliarnod，andpassingbythetableatwhichIsat，toonenearthewindow，heflungthebaguponit，andseatinghimselfinachairwithhisprofiletowardsme，heuntiedthebag，fromwhichhepouredalargequantityofsovereignsuponthetableandfelltocountingthem。Aftercountingthemthreetimesheplacedthemagaininthebagwhichhetiedup，thentakingasmallbook，seeminglyanaccount—book，outofhispocket，hewrotesomethinginitwithapencil，thenputtingitinhispockethetookthebagandunlockingabeaufetwhichstoodatsomedistancebehindhimagainstthewall，heputthebagintoadrawer；thenagainlockingthebeaufethesatdowninthechair，thentiltingthechairbackuponitshindlegshekeptswayinghimselfbackwardsandforwardsuponit，histoessometimesupontheground，sometimesmountinguntiltheytappedagainstthenethersideofthetable，surveyingmeallthetimewithaqueerkindofasideglance，andoccasionallyejectingsalivauponthecarpetinthedirectionofplacewhereI
sat。
\"Fineweather，sir，\"saidI，atlast，rathertiredofbeingskewedandspitatinthismanner。
\"Whyyaas，\"saidthefigure；\"thedayistolerablyfine，butIhaveseenafiner。\"
\"Well，Idon’tremembertohaveseenone，\"saidI；\"itisasfineadayasIhaveseenduringthepresentseason，andfinerweatherthanIhaveseenduringthisseasonIdonotthinkIeversawbefore。\"
\"TheweatherisfineenoughforBritain，\"saidthefigure，\"butthereareothercountriesbesidesBritain。\"
\"Why，\"saidI，\"there’stheStates，’tistrue。\"
\"EverbeenintheStates，Mr？\"saidthefigurequickly。
\"HaveIeverbeenintheStates，\"saidI，\"haveIeverbeenintheStates？\"
\"PerhapsyouareoftheStates，Mr；Ithoughtsofromthefirst。\"
\"TheStatesarefinecountries，\"saidI。
\"Iguesstheyare，Mr。\"
\"ItwouldbenoeasymattertowhiptheStates。\"
\"SoIshouldguess，Mr。\"
\"Thatis，single—handed，\"saidI。
\"Single—handed，nonordouble—handedeither。LetEnglandandFranceandtheStatewhichtheyarenowtryingtowhipwithoutbeingabletodoit，that’sRussia，alluniteinauniontowhiptheUnion，andifinsteadofwhippingtheStatestheydon’tgetawhippingthemselves，callmeabrayingjackass—\"
\"Isee，Mr，\"saidI，\"thatyouareasensibleman，becauseyouspeakverymuchmyownopinion。However，asIamanunprejudicedperson，likeyourself，Iwishtodojusticetoothercountries—
theStatesarefinecountries—butthereareotherfinecountriesintheworld。IsaynothingofEngland；catchmesayinganythinggoodofEngland；butIcallWalesafinecountry；gainsayitwhomay，IcallWalesafinecountry。\"
\"Soitis，Mr。\"
\"I’llgofarther，\"saidI；\"Iwishtodojusticetoeverything：I
calltheWelshafinelanguage。\"
\"Soitis，Mr。Ah，Iseeyouareanunprejudicedman。Youdon’tunderstandWelsh，Iguess。\"
