ll, the visitor finds himself in a large
kitchen, where provision is made for an exceptionally big fireplace. In
common with most old houses, every inch of available space is converted
into cupboards, which are to be discovered in most unexpected nooks and
corners. All the rooms are panelled, but it is only the large rooms just
mentioned that contain any carving.

"On the first floor, the arrangements are of a similar nature to those on
the ground floor. From the landing of the main staircase open two rooms,
a large one over the best room, and a smaller one above the hall. In the
first-mentioned is a noticeable fireplace, which, in the place of the
customary mantelpiece, has a panel-work frame, uniform with that
surrounding the other rooms. The place of the centre panel was formerly
occupied by a large oil painting, which remained in its position for some
time after the Borrows vacated the house, and is now in the possession of
Mr. Cooper. It represents 'The Judgment of Solomon,' and is supposed to
be the work of John Borrow, George's artist brother. The two remaining
bedrooms, which are reached by the small staircase, are of unequal size
on account of a narrow passage, from which rises a short flight of stairs
leading to a very irregular-shaped attic in the roof."

CHAPTER V: LIFE AT OULTON

After many painful experiences in London, whither he went in the hope of
being able to gain a livelihood by devoting himself to literature, George
Borrow turned his back upon the metropolis, and set out on that wild,
rambling excursion narrated and enlarged upon in the pages of "Lavengro."
Lapse of time has emphasised the impossibility of ascertaining how much
is fact and how much fiction in the fascinating account of his
wanderings. Criticism on that point is unjustifiable, for Borrow
announced that the book was "a dream," and a history only up to a certain
point. From what the writer has gathered, however, from those who knew
Borrow intimately, he has good reason to believe that there are more
facts recorded in the latter part of "Lavengro," and in "The Romany Rye,"
than are credited by many students of "Don Jorge's" writings.

After lengthy roamings far and wide, he returned again to Norwich, where
he lived for a time a quiet life, of which he has left no record. His
literary exploits had not been of such a nature as to rank his name with
those of the known writers of his day; indeed, there is every reason fo