Melford' with his right hand. As soon as we reached the Hall a battle-
piece by Wouvermans was the first thing that caught his eye and
greatly interested him. He told me of a descendant of Wouvermans--an
officer in the Austrian army--whom he knew. Then entering the drawing-
room and looking out of the bay-window through the oak wood on the
deep blue sea beyond, he seemed for some time quite entranced by the
lovely, peaceful view, till at last I felt I must arouse him, and
said, 'A charming view, Mr. Borrow!' With a deep sigh he slowly
answered, 'Yes!--please God the Russians don't come here.'




PREFACE


In the following pages I have endeavoured to describe a dream, partly of
study, partly of adventure, in which will be found copious notices of
books, and many descriptions of life and manners, some in a very unusual
form.

The scenes of action lie in the British Islands;--pray be not displeased,
gentle reader, if perchance thou hast imagined that I was about to
conduct thee to distant lands, and didst promise thyself much instruction
and entertainment from what I might tell thee of them. I do assure thee
that thou hast no reason to be displeased, inasmuch as there are no
countries in the world less known by the British than these selfsame
British Islands, or where more strange things are every day occurring,
whether in road or street, house or dingle.