wn,
opposite to Whitehall, for example," said the bookseller, rubbing his
hands. "Do you really wish to have the book?"

"Very much."

"Well, here it is; no price, young gentleman; no price--can't break my
word--give the money, if you like, to the beggars in the street. Cromwell
is the first Englishman who endeavoured to put all sects on an equality.
Wouldn't do, though--world too fond of humbug--still is. However, good
day, young gentleman, and when you are prime minister, do not forget the
two statues."]

I should say that I scarcely walked less than thirty miles about the big
city on the day of my first arrival. Night came on, but still I was
walking about, my eyes wide open, and admiring everything that presented
itself to them. Everything was new to me, for everything is different in
London from what it is elsewhere--the people, their language, the horses,
the _tout ensemble_--even the stones of London are different from
others--at least it appeared to me that I had never walked with the same
ease and facility on the flag-stones of a country town as on those of
London; so I continued roving about till night came on, and then the
splendour of some of the shops particularly struck me. "A regular
Arabian nights' entertainment!" said I, as I looked into one on Cornhill,
gorgeous with precious merchandise, and lighted up with lustres, the rays
of which were reflected from a hundred mirrors.

But, notwithstanding the excellence of the London pavement, I began about
nine o'clock to feel myself thoroughly tired; painfully and slowly did I
drag my feet along. I also felt very much in want of some refreshment,
and I remembered that since breakfast I had taken nothing. I was now in
the Strand, and, glancing about, I perceived that I was close by an
hotel, which bore over the door the somewhat remarkable name of Holy
Lands. Without a moment's hesitation I entered a well-lighted passage,
and, turning to the left, I found myself in a well-lighted coffee-room,
with a well-dressed and frizzled waiter before me. "Bring me some
claret," said I, for I was rather faint than hungry, and I felt ashamed
to give a humbler order to so well-dressed an individual. The waiter
looked at me for a moment; then, making a low bow, he bustled off, and I
sat myself down in the box nearest to the window. Presently the waiter
returned, bearing beneath his left arm a long bottle, and between the
fingers of his right hand two large purpl