of such a movement is to me
unaccountable."

"You would not have cause to complain of my indifference," said Frank,
"provided I thought my country would be benefited by this movement; but I
happen to know the origin of it. The priests are the originators, 'and
what country was ever benefited by a movement which owed its origin to
them?' so says Voltaire, a page of whom I occasionally read. By the
present move they hope to increase their influence, and to further
certain designs which they entertain both with regard to this country and
Ireland. I do not speak rashly or unadvisedly. A strange fellow--a half
Italian, half English priest,--who was recommended to me by my guardians,
partly as a spiritual--partly as a temporal guide, has let me into a
secret or two; he is fond of a glass of gin and water--and over a glass
of gin and water cold, with a lump of sugar in it, he has been more
communicative, perhaps, than was altogether prudent. Were I my own
master, I would kick him, politics, and religious movements, to a
considerable distance. And now, if you are going away, do so quickly; I
have an appointment with Annette, and must make myself fit to appear
before her."

CHAPTER XLIII.

Progress--Glorious John--Utterly Unintelligible--What a Difference!

By the month of October I had, in spite of all difficulties and
obstacles, accomplished about two-thirds of the principal task which I
had undertaken, the compiling of the Newgate lives; I had also made some
progress in translating the publisher's philosophy into German. But
about this time I began to see very clearly that it was impossible that
our connection should prove of long duration; yet, in the event of my
leaving the big man, what other resource had I--another publisher? But
what had I to offer? There were my ballads, my Ab Gwilym, but then I
thought of Taggart and his snuff, his pinch of snuff. However, I
determined to see what could be done, so I took my ballads under my arm,
and went to various publishers; some took snuff, others did not, but none
took my ballads or Ab Gwilym, they would not even look at them. One
asked me if I had anything else--he was a snuff-taker--I said yes; and
going home returned with my translation of the German novel, to which I
have before alluded. After keeping it for a fortnight, he returned it to
me on my visiting him, and, taking a pinch of snuff, told me it would not
do. There were marks of snuff on the outs