that here stopped for rest or food.

Such was the general aspect of the Dove Cote; a spot where a philosopher
might glide through life in unbroken contemplation; where a wearied
statesman might betake himself to reassemble the scattered forces of
intellect for new enterprises; where the artist might repair to study
with advantage the living graces of God's own painting; and where young
beauty might bud and bloom amongst the most delicate and graceful forms
of earth.

The interior of the dwelling was capacious and comfortable. Its
furniture, suitable to the estate of the owner, was plain, and adapted
to a munificent rather than to an ostentatious hospitality. It was only
in the library that evidence might be seen of large expense. Here, the
books were ranged from the floor to the ceiling, with scarcely an
interval, except where a few choice paintings had found space, or the
bust of some ancient worthy. One or two ponderous lounging chairs stood
in the apartment; and the footstep of the visitor was dulled into
silence by the soft nap of (what, in that day, was a rare and costly
luxury) a Turkey carpet. This was in all respects an apartment of ease,
and it was provided with every incentive to beguile a student into
silent and luxurious communion with the spirit of the sages around
him,--whose subtlest thoughts and holiest breathings, whose most
volatile fancies, had been caught up, fixed, and turned into tangible
substance, more indestructible than adamant, by the magic of letters.

I have trespassed on the patience of my reader to give him a somewhat
minute description of the Dove Cote, principally because I hope thereby
to open his mind to a more adequate conception of the character of
Philip Lindsay. By looking at a man in his own dwelling, and observing
his domestic habits, I will venture to affirm, it shall scarcely in any
instance fail to be true, that, if there be seen a tasteful arrangement
of matters necessary to his comfort; if his household be well ordered,
and his walks clean and well rolled, and his grassplots neat; and if
there be no slovenly inattention to repairs, but thrift against waste,
and plenty for all; and, if to these be added habits of early rising and
comely attire--and, above all, if there be books, many books, well
turned and carefully tended--that man is one to warm up at the coming of
a gentleman; to open his doors to him; to take him to his heart, and to
do him the kindnesses of life. He