ester, and which begins to be very busy,
though nobody at present talks of it, is, in my mind, a movement which
ought to be watched. I tell you what; it occurred to me more than once
during that wondrous pageant, that we have just now been taking part in,
the government wants better information than they have as to the state
of the country, the real feelings and condition of the bulk of the
population. We used to sneer at the Tories for their ignorance of these
matters, but after all, we, like them, are mainly dependent on quarter
sessions; on the judgment of a lord-lieutenant and the statistics of a
bench of magistrates. It is true we have introduced into our subordinate
administration at Whitehall some persons who have obtained the
reputation of distinguished economists, and we allow them to guide us.
But though ingenious men, no doubt, they are chiefly bankrupt tradesmen,
who, not having been able to manage their own affairs, have taken upon
themselves to advise on the conduct of the country--pedants and prigs at
the best, and sometimes impostors. No; this won't do. It is useless to
speak to the chief; I did about the Anti-Corn-Law League; he shrugged
his shoulders and said it was a madness that would pass. I have made
up my mind to send somebody, quite privately, to the great scenes of
national labour. He must be somebody whom nobody knows, and nobody
suspects of being connected with the administration, or we shall never
get the truth--and the person I have fixed upon is yourself."

"But am I equal to such a task?" said Endymion modestly, but sincerely.

"I think so," said Mr. Wilton, "or, of course, I would not have fixed
upon you. I want a fresh and virgin intelligence to observe and consider
the country. It must be a mind free from prejudice, yet fairly informed
on the great questions involved in the wealth of nations. I know you
have read Adam Smith, and not lightly. Well, he is the best guide,
though of course we must adapt his principles to the circumstances with
which we have to deal. You have good judgment, great industry, a fairly
quick perception, little passion--perhaps hardly enough; but that is
probably the consequence of the sorrows and troubles of early life. But,
after all, there is no education like adversity."

"If it will only cease at the right time," said Endymion.

"Well, in that respect, I do not think you have anything to complain
of," said Mr. Wilton. "The world is all before you, and I mi