assure your honour that I am deeply obliged."

His air, manner, and even accent, were so like those of a Frenchman, that
I could not forbear asking him whether he was one.

He shook his head and replied, "No, your honour, no, I am not a
Frenchman, but a native of this poor country, Tom Jenkins by name."

"Well," said I, "you really look and speak like a Frenchman, but no
wonder; the Welsh and French are much of the same blood. Please now to
show me into the parlour."

He opened the door of a large apartment, placed a chair by a table which
stood in the middle, and then, with another bow, requested to know my
farther pleasure. After ordering dinner I said that as I was thirsty I
should like to have some ale forthwith.

"Ale you shall have, your honour," said Tom, "and some of the best ale
that can be drunk. This house is famous for ale."

"I suppose you get your ale from Llangollen," said I, "which is
celebrated for its ale over Wales."

"Get our ale from Llangollen?" said Tom, with sneer of contempt, "no, nor
anything else. As for the ale it was brewed in this house by your
honour's humble servant."

"Oh," said I, "if you brewed it, it must of course be good. Pray bring
me some immediately, for I am anxious to drink ale of your brewing."

"Your honour shall be obeyed," said Tom, and disappearing returned in a
twinkling with a tray on which stood a jug filled with liquor and a
glass. He forthwith filled the glass, and pointing to its contents said:

"There, your honour, did you ever see such ale? Observe its colour!
Does it not look for all the world as pale and delicate as cowslip wine?"

"I wish it may not taste like cowslip wine," said I; "to tell you the
truth, I am no particular admirer of ale that looks pale and delicate;
for I always think there is no strength in it."

"Taste it, your honour," said Tom, "and tell me if you ever tasted such
ale."

I tasted it, and then took a copious draught. The ale was indeed
admirable, equal to the best that I had ever before drunk--rich and
mellow, with scarcely any smack of the hop in it, and though so pale and
delicate to the eye nearly as strong as brandy. I commended it highly to
the worthy Jenkins, who exultingly exclaimed:

"That Llangollen ale indeed! no, no! ale like that, your honour, was
never brewed in that trumpery hole Llangollen."

"You seem to have a very low opinion of Llangollen?" said I.

"How can I have anything but a low opinion o