e up to his reputation by
entertaining the company with lively sallies and witticisms. At last he
approached Borrow, and inquired, "Have you read my Snob Papers in
_Punch_?" "In _Punch_?" asked Borrow. "It is a periodical I never look
at."

Mr. John Murray, in his "Reminiscences," has also given instances of
Borrow's strange behaviour in other people's houses; but there is reason
to believe that he often keenly reproached himself afterwards for giving
way in public to such unseemly displays of temper and spleen. That his
heart was in the right place and he was not lacking in powers of
restraint, are facts fully demonstrated by the following incident. He
was invited to meet Dr. Robert Latham at the house of Dr. Hake, who had
many inward tremors at what might be the outcome of bringing them
together. Latham was in the habit of indulging somewhat too freely at
table, and under such circumstances, as might be expected, was often
deficient in tact and courtesy.

"All, like most things that are planned, began well. But with Latham
life was a game of show. He had to put forth all his knowledge of
subjects in which he deemed Borrow was an adept. He began with
horse-racing. Borrow quietly assented. He showed off all he knew of the
ring. Borrow freely responded. He had to show what he knew of
publishers, instancing the Longmans. Borrow said, 'I suppose you dine
with your publishers sometimes?' It was Latham's opportunity; he could
not resist it, and replied, 'Never; I hope I should never do anything so
low. You do not dine with Mr. John Murray, I presume?' 'Indeed, I do,'
said Borrow, emotionally. 'He is a most kind friend. When I have had
sickness in my house he has been unfailing in his goodness towards me.
There is no man I value more.' Latham's conversation was fast falling
under the influence of wine; with this his better taste departed from
him. 'I have heard,' he said, 'that you are a brave man over a bottle of
wine. Now, how many bottles can you get through at a sitting?' Borrow
saw what the other was; he was resolved not to take offence at what was
only impertinent and self-asserting, so he said, 'When I was in Madrid I
knew a priest who would sit down alone to his two bottles.' 'Yes,'
replied Latham, with his knowing look and his head on one side like a
bird, 'but what I want to know is, how many bottles you can manage at one
sitting?' 'I once knew another priest,' said Borrow, 'it was at Oport