. 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 anyone," said I to the landlord: "he quits this
town to-morrow, if the letters arrive which he expects by the post;
therefore, pray get rid of this crowd, and let him be quiet, for he is
very tired, having travelled one hundred and fifty miles since the dawn
of day."

When Tim and I had performed this duty, we joined Melchior in his room,
leaving the news to be circulated. "This promises well," observed
Melchior; "up to the present we have expended much time and money; now
we must see if we cannot recover it tenfold. Japhet, you must take an
opportunity of going out again after supper, and make inquiries of the
landlord what poor people they have in the town, as I am very generous,
and like to relieve them; you may observe, that all the money offered to
me for practisin