it isn't cricket."

The inevitable outcome, naturally, is that the Island must be the
wandering-place of myriads of spirits possessing no recognised standing,
and driven by want--having none to transmit them offerings--to the most
degraded subterfuges. It is freely admitted that there is scarcely an
ancient building not the abode of one or more of these abandoned demons,
doubtless well-disposed in the first instance, and capable of becoming
really beneficent Forces until they were driven to despair by obstinate
neglect. A society of very honourable persons (to which this one has
unobtrusively contributed a gift), exists for the purpose of searching
out the most distressing and meritorious cases among them, and removing
them, where possible, to a more congenial spot. The remarkable fact,
to this person's mind, is, that with the air and every available
space around absolutely packed with demons (as certainly must be the
prevailing state of things), the manifestations of their malignity and
vice are, if anything, rather less evident here than in our own favoured
country, where we do all in our power to satisfy their wants.

That same evening I found myself seated next to a maiden of
prepossessing vivacity, who was spoken of as being one of a kindred
but not identical race. Filled with the incredible profanity of those
around, and hoping to find among a nation so alluringly high-spirited
a more congenial elevation of mind, I at length turned to her and said,
"Do not regard the question as one of unworthy curiosity, for this
person's inside is white and funereal with his fears; but do you, of
your allied race, worship your ancestors?"

The maiden spent a moment in conscientious thought. "No, Mr. Kong," she
replied, with a most commendable sigh of unfeigned regret, "I can't say
that we do. I guess it's because we're too new. Mine, now, only go back
two generations, and they were mostly in lard. If they were old and
baronial it might be different, but I can't imagine myself worshipping
an ancestor in lard." (This doubtless refers to some barbaric method of
embalming.)

"And your wide and enlightened countrymen?" I asked, unable to restrain
a passion of pure-bred despair. "Do they also so regard the obligation?"

"I am afraid so," replied the maiden, with an honourable indication
towards my emotion. "But of course when a girl marries into the European
aristocracy, she and all her folk worship her husband's ancestors, until