him to retain him, at least for the present, in the house.

The novelty of his situation and impressions, together with the bustle incidental to his new arrangements, kept him for some days after his arrival in such a constant state of excitement, that he had no leisure to think of his neighbours, although he received several visits, one from the Clergyman, hastening as a matter of duty to pay his respects to a new Parishioner, who might perhaps, like his regretted predecessor, have a dinner-party every Sunday; three others from as many neighbouring Curates, who knew nothing, of course, of his having purchased the advowson; and a fifth from the Apothecary, who not only hurried to get the start of a competitor recently set up in the vicinity, but to have the first sight of the stranger, and make himself welcome among the neighbouring gentry by retailing the most minute particulars he had gleaned in this early inspection. Through this loquacious medium of communication, all the real oddities of Goldingham's appearance, to

gether with a copious appendix of ridiculous tittle-tattle picked up from servants, and other equally authentic sources, were quickly circulated through the vicinity, receiving at each repetition such marvellous additaments as to his opulence and eccentricities, that the church where it was presumed he would exhibit himself on the following Sunday, was quite filled before the service began. The Pastor, a worthy, simple-hearted man, who sincerely wished that all his parishioners should be good Christians, and give good dinners, was astonished at the unusual influx of many who were but shy Church-goers, until he recollected having mentioned to Mrs. Chatsworth his intention of preaching his favourite sermon against neglect of the Sabbath duties, and not doubting that she had dispersed this news with her usual industry, he saw the unwonted fullness of his congregation very naturally and satisfactorily explained.

From the gambling Nobleman on whom Goldingham-place had devolved at the old Cavalier's death, and who had retained possession of it for

so short a period, the present proprietor had purchased every thing as it stood, including stock of all sorts; a chariot with two fat coach-horses, and a little grey pony. Timothy having volunteered to drive the antiquated vehicle here mentioned, it was brought to the door on the Sunday morning by two club-tailed corpulent horses; Mrs. Holmes stood curtsying at the porch, proffering her spruce prayer-book: Goldingham stepped for the first time into a carriage of his own, and proceeding at the old jog trot, to which both the driver and his sleek cattle had been for so many years accustomed, was at length deposited at the church-gate.

All eyes were directed towards his pew, as he
was inducted into it by the beadle, and some
little whispering and tittering became audible
in various parts of the building; but rumours
had as usual so exaggerated the singularity of
his exterior, that there was a considerable feel-

ing of disappointment at his not appearing more
ridiculous. As there were many who, having
entered the church after him, had been unable
to see him walk up the aisle, and others who,

VOL. I.

E

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from being seated in the gallery above him, had not even obtained a glimpse of his figure, there was no small crowding, when service was over, to see him enter his carriage. So importunate did the curiosity become, that the object of it, offended at such vulgar rudeness, which he was determined not to gratify, stepped hastily into the vehicle, and bade his coachman drive on. Timothy, however, seeing one of his own friends pressing forward, and anxious to oblige him with a peep, checked his horses, nodding backwards at his master, as much as to say, “ There he is, come and have a stare at him; isn't he a queer chap?" Several others appearing disposed to avail themselves of this halt, Goldingham, in great dudgeon, drew up the blind, when Timothy very unconcernedly exclaimed to his friend, with a knowing wink, "T'other side, Jemmy, t'other side; you 're sure of him there, for the blind won't go up."

This was too much for his master's patience, especially as he saw a rush of gazers to that side, and at the same moment observed that

Timothy's left shoulder was twitched up and down with a convulsive though inaudible snigger. "Sirrah! sirrah!" he cried out as he hastily let down the front window, "if you do not instantly drive on I'll knock you off the box with my cane!"

“Have you seen enough of him, Jemmy?" said Timothy to his friend, without in the least noticing his master's threat. An answer was given in the affirmative, the friends exchanged nods and good bye's, when Timothy, deliberately squaring his elbows and gathering up the reins, set off at his established jog trot as if nothing had happened.

"This fellow's conduct," said Goldingham to himself, "whether it proceed from dotage, ignorance, or an insolent affectation of playing the wag, is equally intolerable; and but that it is the Sabbath, I would turn him out of the house this very day." It cost him three lumps of sugar to recover any degree of serenity, and it was not till he reached Goldingham-place that he determined after all to retain the of

"