, our customers,
the pawnbrokers, were not very inquisitive. We lived a jolly life
at Bath for a couple of months, and departed one night, leaving our
housekeeper to answer all interrogatories. We had taken the precaution
to wear disguises, stuffed ourselves out, and changed the hues of our
hair. My noble friend was an adept in these transformations; and though
the police did not sleep on the business, they never stumbled on us. I
am especially glad we were not discovered, for I liked Bath excessively;
and I intend to return there some of these days, and retire from the
world--on an heiress!

"Well, Paul, shortly after this adventure I made your acquaintance. I
continued ostensibly my literary profession, but only as a mask for the
labours I did not profess. A circumstance obliged me to leave London
rather precipitately. Lord Dunshunner joined me in Edinburgh. D---it,
instead of doing anything there, we were done! The veriest urchin that
ever crept through the High Street is more than a match for the most
scientific of Englishmen. With us it is art; with the Scotch it is
nature. They pick your pockets without using their fingers for it; and
they prevent reprisal by having nothing for you to pick.

"We left Edinburgh with very long faces, and at Carlisle we found it
necessary to separate. For my part, I went as a valet to a nobleman who
had just lost his last servant at Carlisle by a fever; my friend gave
me the best of characters! My new master was a very clever man. He
astonished people at dinner by the impromptus he prepared at breakfast;
in a word, he was a wit. He soon saw, for he was learned himself, that
I had received a classical education, and he employed me in the
confidential capacity of finding quotations for him. I classed these
alphabetically and under three heads,--'Parliamentary, Literary,
Dining-out.' These were again subdivided into 'Fine,' 'Learned,' and
'Jocular;' so that my master knew at once where to refer for genius,
wisdom, and wit. He was delighted with my management of his intellects.
In compliment to him, I paid more attention to politics than I had
done before; for he was a 'great Whig,' and uncommonly liberal
in everything--but money! Hence, Paul, the origin of my political
principles; and I thank Heaven there is not now a rogue in England who
is a better--that is to say, more of a moderate-Whig than your humble
servant! I continued with him nearly a year. He discharged me for a
fault wort