rather cutting to a few. I observed to them, (by the way of soothing,) that the Americans originally sprung chiefly from Britain; therefore, they ought not to be jealous, because their sons and daughters had not degenerated.

The conversation took a turn, and was maintained for some time on the national character of the Scots, their intelligence, industry and enterprise; their steady habits, respect for religion and attachment to the Bible. A gentleman, by way of a case in point, related the following anecdote, which, though not quite original, is well worth preserving.

The King and his Scotch Cook.

The witty Earl of Rochester, being in company with King Charles II., his queen, chaplain, and some ministers of state, after they had been discoursing on business, the king suddenly exclaims, "Let our thoughts be unbended from the cares of state, and give us a generous glass of wine—that cheereth, as the scripture saith, God and man." The queen hearing this, modestly said she thought there could be no such text in the scriptures, and that the idea was but little less than blasphemy. The king replied he was not prepared to turn to chapter and verse, but was sure he had met it in his scripture reading. The chaplain was appealed to, and he was of the same opinion as the queen. Rochester suspecting the king to be right, and being no friend to the chaplain, slipped out of the room to inquire among the servants if any of them were conversant with the Bible. They named David, the Scotch cook, who always carried a Bible about him; and David being called, recollected both the text, and where to find it.

Rochester ordered him to be in waiting, and returned to the king. This text was still the topic of conversation, and Rochester moved to call in David, who, he said, he found was well acquainted with the scriptures. David appeared, and being asked the question, produced his Bible, and read the text, (Judges ix. 13.) The king smiled, the queen asked pardon, and the chaplain blushed. Rochester then asked the doctor if he could interpret the text now it was produced? The doctor was mute. The earl, therefore, applied to David for the exposition. The cook immediately replied, "How much wine cheereth many our lordship knows: and that it cheereth God, I beg leave to say, that under the Old Testament dispensation, there were meat-offerings and drink-offerings; the latter consisted of wine, which was typical of the blood of the Mediator, which by a metaphor was said to cheer God, as he was well pleased in the way of salvation he had appointed. Whereby his justice was satisfied, his law fulfilled, his mercy reigned, his grace triumphed, all his perfections harmonized, the sinner was saved, and God in Christ glorified." The king was surprised at this evangelical exposition. Rochester applauded, and after some severe reflections upon the doctor, very gravely moved, that his majesty would be pleased to make the chaplain his cook, and this cook his chaplain.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A Conversazione-Mr. Irving and the Irvingites-A Visit to the Packet-A Street Juggler.

I was next invited to make one of a party, or as the card sent me specified, a conversazione, to be at the place at 10 A. M. The door was attended by two servants in proper costume; to one I gave the card I received, and while he carried it to his master, the other was helping off my coat, hat, and securing my umbrella. He affixed to them a ticket, and gave me the corresponding number, to prevent an exchange. I thought in my case this precaution was unnecessary, as I stand within an inch of five feet, and they were all great men. The master appeared, when I was presented in form.

I thought, on the whole, it was a very pretty and a very rational affair. The gentlemen were chiefly literary and scientific characters. The ladies, were women of taste and refinement; in fact, it was a real show of natu ral and artificial curiosities. Almost every guest brought with him or her some contribution to the evening's amusement. Many of the gentlemen had lately been in far countries, and had with them the fruits of their industry and taste. There were plants, flowers, drawings, paintings, prints, minerals, shells, petrifactions,

&c. &c.; but among all the wonders of nature and art there displayed, nothing appeared so remarkable in my eyes, as the skin which was cast off from a man's hand after the manner of a snake. This article was produced by a physician, who gave us a well authenticated account of the circumstances of the case. The man was a respectable farmer not far from London, and was subject to some sort of fever, which seized him regularly every five years. On recovering from the fever, the skin came off from his hands nearly as complete as a pair of gloves. The specimen I saw was in this state. There was only a small rent on one of the fingers, I think on the left hand. So frequent had this circumstance occurred to the man, that it was usual for some physician or neighbour to engage from him the skin of his hand a twelve-month or more previous to its coming off. I had seen nothing, where I found myself so much at home, and to my liking, as at this party. I was the only non-resident in the company, and received more than my own share of attention. A number of rooms were thrown open, where the walks were hung, and the tables covered with the wonders and curiosities aforesaid. In another very spacious hall, a table was spread with every thing to tempt and satisfy the appetite. There was tea, coffee, wines and cakes, pies, pastry and confections. The company was in pairs and in parties, walking and talking, sitting and admiring, eating or drinking, just as fancy or feeling inclined. The lord and lady of the manor led me from room to room, introducing me to every group, party, and coterie. A lady asked me to write my name on the back of her card. This was only the beginning, not of sorrow but of scratching.

The request-and

mine, and mine, reiterated by many, till the cards fell on the table before me, as thick as snow flakes on a winter's morning. A young lady presented her cardit was a very large one; and by way of variety in the scene, a thought came into my head. I wrote it thus:

1

I wrote my name &-just above her name on the face of the card. The card flew round the room creating a laugh-all that was intended.

This procuring of signatures is a very prevailing foi-, ble among the good folks in Britain at this time. I was shown books by many, where I saw the signatures of Washington, Bonaparte, Pitt, Fox, Sir W. Scott, &c. They are often procured at considerable trouble and expense. Sometimes by writing to the person whose name they wish, making some frivolous inquiry, and paying the postage. When the answer comes back, their end is attained; they cut off the signature, and paste it in their book. If you are at their house, and