plucking a rose-branch for herself, and in the attempt pricked her
finger with a thorn. The crimson stream, as if flowing from the
dark-tinted rose, tinged her fair hand with the purple current.
This circumstance set the whole company in commotion; and court-
plaster was called for. A quiet, elderly man, tall, and meagre-
looking, who was one of the company, but whom I had not before
observed, immediately put his hand into the tight breast-pocket of
his old-fashioned coat of grey sarsnet, pulled out a small letter-
case, opened it, and, with a most respectful bow, presented the lady
with the wished-for article. She received it without noticing the
giver, or thanking him. The wound was bound up, and the party
proceeded along the hill towards the back part, from which they
enjoyed an extensive view across the green labyrinth of the park to
the wide-spreading ocean. The view was truly a magnificent one. A
slight speck was observed on the horizon, between the dark flood and
the azure sky. "A telescope!" called out Mr. John; but before any
of the servants could answer the summons the grey man, with a modest
bow, drew his hand from his pocket, and presented a beautiful
Dollond's telescope to Mr. John, who, on looking through it,
informed the company that the speck in the distance was the ship
which had sailed yesterday, and which was detained within sight of
the haven by contrary winds. The telescope passed from hand to
hand, but was not returned to the owner, whom I gazed at with
astonishment, and could not conceive how so large an instrument
could have proceeded from so small a pocket. This, however, seemed
to excite surprise in no one; and the grey man appeared to create as
little interest as myself.

Refreshments were now brought forward, consisting of the rarest
fruits from all parts of the world, served up in the most costly