intricate lanes and small streets, drew up at length before the bright
windows of an inn, and called loudly for Mr. Watts.

"Is that you, Jem?" cried a hearty voice from the stableyard. "Come in
and warm yourself."

"I only stopped here," Mr. Chandler explained, "to let down an old gent
that wants food and lodging. Mind, I warn you agin him; he's worse nor a
temperance lecturer."

Mr. Finsbury dismounted with difficulty, for he was cramped with his
long drive, and the shaking he had received in the accident. The
friendly Mr. Watts, in spite of the carter's scarcely agreeable
introduction, treated the old gentleman with the utmost courtesy, and
led him into the back parlour, where there was a big fire burning in the
grate. Presently a table was spread in the same room, and he was invited
to seat himself before a stewed fowl--somewhat the worse for having seen
service before--and a big pewter mug of ale from the tap.

He rose from supper a giant refreshed; and, changing his seat to one
nearer the fire, began to examine the other guests with an eye to the
delights of oratory. There were near a dozen present, all men, and (as
Joseph exulted to perceive) all working men. Often already had he seen
cause to bless that appetite for disconnected fact and rotatory argument
which is so marked a character of the mechanic. But even an audience of
working men has to be courted, and there was no man more deeply versed
in the necessary arts than Joseph Finsbury. He placed his glasses on his
nose, drew from his pocket a bundle of papers, and spread them before
him on a table. He crumpled them, he smoothed them out; now he skimmed
them over, apparently well pleased with their contents; now, with
tapping pencil and contracted brows, he seemed maturely to consider some
particular statement. A stealthy glance about the room assured him of
the success of his manoeuvres; all eyes were turned on the performer,
mouths were open, pipes hung suspended; the birds were charmed. At the
same moment the entrance of Mr. Watts afforded him an opportunity.

"I observe," said he, addressing the landlord, but taking at the same
time the whole room into his confidence with an encouraging look, "I
observe that some of these gentlemen are looking with curiosity in my
direction; and certainly it is unusual to see anyone immersed in
literary and scientific labours in the public apartment of an inn. I
have here some calculations I made this morning upon th