e, and by the extraordinary
means of rolling out anecdote after anecdote that told against the
Scotch character. The Mackenzies, the Murrays, the MacDonalds, the
McQueens, looked black as thunder, and Stisted's amiability gave even
more offence than Burton's ill-temper. Noticing that something was amiss
opposite him, Burton stopped his own talk to listen. Then Stisted's
innocence and the ludicrousness of the whole scene dawned upon him, and
leaning back in his chair he roared with uncontrollable laughter. When
he met his wife again one of her first questions was about this dinner,
at which she had hoped her husband would dazzle and delight the whole
company, and which she supposed might lead to his promotion. He then
told her the whole story, not omitting his ill-humour. She listened with
dismay, and then burst into tears. "Come," he commented, "I wasn't so
bad as Stisted, anyhow."

71. St. George and Frederick Burton.

Upon his return to London, Burton renewed his acquaintance with his
cousins Dr. and Mrs. Edward John Burton. He and Dr. Burton, whom he
thought fit to call after a character in The Arabian Nights, "Abu
Mohammed Lazybones," [263] had long known each other, but Dr. Burton
had also for some time resided in distant lands. The notes that brought
about the meeting--and they could not be briefer--now lie before me.
They run:

"Athanaeum Club,
"Sept. 20 '72

"My dear Cousin,

"When and where can I see you? Yours truly,
"R. F. Burton."

"Junior United Service Club.

"My dear Richard,

"Any day at 4 p.m.
"Yours ever,
"E. J. Burton."

A few days later, Burton dined with Edward John, and made the
acquaintance of his young cousins, St. George and Frederick. Of St.
George, a dark-haired lad, who was particularly clever and had a
humorous vein, Burton from the first thought highly. One day, happening
to turn over some of the leaves of the boy's exercise book, he stumbled
upon the following lines:

"The map of Africa was dark as night,
God said, 'Let Burton live,' and there was light."

He laughed heartily and thanked his little cousin for the compliment,
while the couplet became a stock quotation in the family. Later, when
St. George went to a French school, he was very proud to find that the
boys were conv