though suited to his
height, was not calculated for that of a tall shipmate who occasionally
came to see him, he built another on the opposite side of the mansion,
of the proper dimensions, observing that, should honest Dick Porpoise,
another old shipmate, come that way, the first would exactly suit him;
the said Dick amply making up in width for what he wanted in height.

Uncle Boz then found out that, though he could grill a chop before his
dining-room fire, the same style of cooking would not suit a number of
people; and so he erected what he called the Caboose, at the rear of his
mansion. It certainly would not have been taken for what it was, had it
not been for the iron flue which projected from the roof.

The greatest work Uncle Boz ever undertook with respect to his abode,
was what he called "putting another deck on the craft." I think he must
have summoned assistance, and that, relying on the sagacity of others,
he did not, as he was wont, employ his own; for when the walls were up,
the roof on, and the floors laid, it was discovered that there was no
staircase. He was in no way disconcerted, but he had no fancy for
pulling down; and so he built a tower outside, near the back door, to
contain the staircase; and having got it flush with the roof, he said
that it was a pity not to have a good look-out, and so ran it up a dozen
feet or so higher, with a platform and a flagstaff at the summit.
Several other rooms of different dimensions were added on after this,
and numerous little excrescences wherever by any ingenuity they could be
run out,--some to hold a bed, and others only a wash-hand-stand, a trunk
or two, or a chest of drawers. No materials seemed to come amiss. A
small craft laden with bricks was cast ashore, just as he was about to
begin one of his rooms. This was therefore built with her cargo, as
were several of the excrescences run out from the ground-floor, while
rough stones, and especially wood cast on shore from wrecks, had been
chiefly employed. Then his paint-brush was seldom idle; and, as he
remarked, "variety is pleasant," he coloured differently every room,
both inside and out, increasing thereby the gay appearance, if not the
tasteful elegance, of the structure.

"Isn't it unique?" he asked for the hundredth time, as with paint-brush
in hand, he stood on the lawn in front, surveying the work he had just
completed. There was something, however, much more unique present,--not
the gard