ck, very much like an undertaker, was
provided with a horse, with the following directions: to proceed
leisurely until he was within half a mile of the town of ----, and then
to gallop in as fast as he could, stop at the best inn in the place, and
order apartments for the Great Aristodemus, who might be expected in
half an hour. Every thing in this world depends upon appearances, that
is, when you intend to gull it; and as every one in the town had heard
of the Great Aristodemus, so every one was anxious to know something
about him, and Timothy was pestered with all manner of questions; but he
declared that he was only his courier, and could only tell what other
people said; but then what other people said, by Timothy's account, was
very marvellous indeed. Timothy had hardly time to secure the best
rooms in the hotel, when Melchior, dressed in a long flowing silk gown,
with a wig of long white hair, a square cap, and two or three gold
chains hanging from his neck, certainly most admirably disguised, and
attended by me in the dress of a German student, a wig of long brown
locks hanging down my shoulders, made our appearance in a post-chaise
and four, and drove up to the door of the inn, at a pace which shook
every house in the street, and occasioned every window to be tenanted
with one or more heads to ascertain the cause of this unusual
occurrence, for it was not a very great town, although once of
importance; but the manufactures had been removed, and it was occupied
by those who had become independent by their own exertions, or by those
of their forefathers.

The door of the chaise was opened by the obsequious Timothy, who pushed
away the ostlers and waiters, as if unworthy to approach his master, and
the Great Aristodemus made his appearance. As he ascended the steps of
the door, his passage was for a moment barred by one whose profession
Melchior well knew. "Stand aside, exciseman!" said he, in a commanding
voice. "No one crosses my path with impunity." Astonished at hearing his
profession thus mentioned, the exciseman, who was the greatest bully in
the town, slipped on one side with consternation, and all those present
lifted up their eyes and hands with astonishment. The Great Aristodemus
gained his room, and shut his door; and I went out to pay for the chaise
and order supper, while Timothy and the porters were busy with our
luggage, which was very considerable.

"My master will not see any one," said I to the l