h to a
man in a rough great-coat, about sheep. Setting himself down near the
fire I called for a glass of whiskey and water, and then observing that
the landlord and his friend had suddenly become silent, I said: "Pray go
on with your discourse; don't let me be any hindrance to you."

"Yes, sir!" said the landlord snappishly, "go on with our discourse for
your edification, I suppose?"

"Well," said I, "suppose it is for my edification; surely you don't
grudge a stranger a little edification which will cost you nothing?"

"I don't know that, sir," said the landlord; "I don't know that. Really,
sir, the kitchen is not the place for a gentleman."

"Yes, it is," said I, "provided the parlour smokes. Come, come, I am
going to have a glass of whiskey and water; perhaps you will take one
with me."

"Well, sir!" said the landlord, in rather a softened tone, "I have no
objection to take a glass with you."

Two glasses of whiskey and water were presently brought, and the landlord
and I drank to each other's health.

"Is this a sheep district?" said I, after a pause of a minute or two.

"Yes, sir," said the landlord; "it may to a certain extent be called a
sheep district."

"I suppose the Southdown and Norfolk breeds would not do for these here
parts," said I, with a regular Norfolk whine.

"No, sir, I don't think they would exactly," said the landlord, staring
at me. "Do you know anything about sheep?"

"Plenty, plenty," said I; "quite as much indeed as about Welsh words and
poetry." Then in a yet more whining tone than before, I said: "Do you
think that a body with money in his pocket could hire a nice comfortable
sheep farm hereabouts?"

"Oh, sir!" said the landlord in a furious tone, "you have come to look
out for a farm, I see, and to outbid us poor Welshmen: it is on that
account you have studied Welsh; but, sir, I would have you know--"

"Come!" said I, "don't be afraid; I wouldn't have all the farms in your
country, provided you would tie them in a string and offer them to me.
If I talked about a farm, it was because I am in the habit of talking
about everything, being versed in all matters, do you see, or affecting
to be so, which comes much to the same thing. My real business in this
neighbourhood is to see the Devil's Bridge and the scenery about it."

"Very good, sir," said the landlord; "I thought so at first. A great
many English go to see the Devil's Bridge and the scenery near it, though
I r