dorns the possessor, exalts the species,
interests the public, and commands the respect of such judges as I see
before me." The grand bow.

"Ah!" said Mr. Williams, hesitatingly, "sentiments that do honour to
your head and heart; and if we could, in the first instance, just see
the dog privately."

"'Nothing easier!" said the Comedian. "Will you do me the honour to meet
him at tea this evening?"

"Rather will you not come and take tea at my house?" said the Mayor,
with a shy glance towards Mr. Williams.

THE COMEDIAN.--"You are very kind; but my time is so occupied that I
have long since made it a rule to decline all private invitations out of
my own home. At my years, Mr. Mayor, one may be excused for taking leave
of society and its forms; but you are comparatively young men. I presume
on the authority of these gray hairs, and I shall expect you this
evening,--say at nine o'clock." The Actor waved his hand graciously and
withdrew.

"A scholar AND a gentleman," said Williams, emphatically. And the Mayor,
thus authorized to allow vent to his kindly heart, added, "A humourist,
and a pleasant one. Perhaps he is right, and our poor operatives would
thank us more for a little innocent amusement than for those lectures,
which they may be excused for thinking rather dull, since even you fell
asleep when Professor Long got into the multilocular shell of the very
first class of cephalous mollusca; and it is my belief that harmless
laughter has a good moral effect upon the working class,--only don't
spread it about that I said so, for we know excellent persons of a
serious turn of mind whose opinions that sentiment might shock."

CHAPTER XI.

HISTORICAL PROBLEM: "Is Gentleman Waife a swindler or a man of
genius?" ANSWER: "Certainly a swindler, if he don't succeed."
Julius Caesar owed two millions when he risked the experiment of
being general in Gaul. If Julius Caesar had not lived to cross the
Rubicon and pay off his debts, what would his creditors have called
Julius Caesar?

I need not say that Mr. Hartopp and his foreman came duly to tea, but
the Comedian exhibited Sir Isaac's talents very sparingly,--just enough
to excite admiration without sating curiosity. Sophy, whose pretty face
and well-bred air were not unappreciated, was dismissed early to bed by
a sign from her grandfather, and the Comedian then exerted his powers to
entertain his visitors, so that even Sir Isaac was soon forgotten.