hat was partially uncovered. In his
steeple-crowned hat was stuck a peacock's feather; and any passenger
would have been puzzled to ascertain whether the motley deformed being
was a wit or a fool.

"Now"--thus ran his thoughts--"Now do I defy any of the serving-men at
Whitehall to recognise their play-fellow, Sir Willmott Burrell's valet,
in the gipsy-looking rascal into which I have, of myself, manufactured
myself! Verily, Robin, thou art a most ingenious fellow! Apt at
contrivances--even nature is thy debtor, for thou hast increased her
deformity! I could gain no tidings of the Cavalier in my own proper
person--of that I am certain; because the people there will either not
know, or be so effectually cautioned--there would be no use in fishing
in such water. Ah! your heart's blood Puritans will never defile
themselves by questioning such as me. 'Slife, I think Old Noll himself
could hardly make me out! I wonder what would Barbara say now, if she
were to behold me in this disguise! I should not like her to see me, and
that's the truth; for no man likes to look worse than he is to his
mistress, and, the devil knows, I can ill spare my beauty! My _beauty_!"
he thought again, and then chuckled one of his vile laughs, the most
decided indicators of a scornful and bitter temper.

Robin did not pursue the high London road, but struck across the Park;
and his love of fine scenery induced him to pause at the top of
Greenwich Hill, and look around on the richness and beauty of the
prospect. Flowing to the right, the broad and glorious Thames turned its
liquid mirror to the skies, and reflected every passing cloud upon its
translucent bosom. But our noble river had more than clouds to shadow
it;--the treasures of the universe floated for us upon its wave--the
spoils of conquered and humbled nations left their track along its
shores; Spain, France, and either India--the whole world, rendered us
homage and paid us tribute, and proud was our own Father Thames to bear
that homage and that tribute to his favoured city. Well might the great
cupola of St. Paul erect its heavy but majestic head, and peer forth
through the first beams of day upon the rich and blessed river! Robin
felt his heart swell within his bosom when he looked down upon the
waters and the land of which every Englishman is so justly proud. "It is
my own country!" was his emphatic ejaculation, as he gazed on this
picture of English wealth and English cultivation. The