 dung-cart in England; and that the postilion who then drove their carriage,
had neither stockings to his legs, nor a shirt to his back.
    The governor finding his charge so intractable, resolved to leave him in the
mist of his own ignorance and prejudice, and reserve his observations for those
who would pay more deference to his opinion; and indeed this resolution he had
often made, and as often broke, in the transports of his zeal, that frequently
hurried him out of the plan of conduct which in his cooler moments he had laid
down. They halted for a refreshment at Montreuil, and about eight in the evening
arrived at a village called Bernay, where while they waited for fresh horses,
they were informed by the landlord, that the gates of Abbe Ville were shut every
night punctually at nine o'clock; so that it would be impossible for them to get
admittance; and that there was not another place of entertainment on the road
where they could pass the night; he therefore, as a friend, advised them to stay
at his house, where they would find the best of accommodation, and proceed upon
their journey by times in the morning.
    Mr. Jolter, though he had travelled on that road before, could not recollect
whether or not mine host spoke truth; but his remonstrance being very plausible,
our hero determined to follow his advice, and being conducted into an apartment,
asked what they could have for supper. The landlord mentioned every thing that
was eatable in the house, and the whole being ingrossed for the use of him and
his attendants, he amused himself till such time as it could be dressed, in
conversing with the daughter, who was a sprightly damsel about the age of
seventeen; and in strolling about the house, which stands in a very rural
situation. While he thus loitered away the time that hung heavy on his hands,
another chaise arrived at the inn, and upon inquiry he found that the new comers
were Mr. Hornbeck and his lady. The landlord, conscious of his inability to
entertain this second company, came and begged with great humiliation that Mr.
Pickle would spare them some part of the victuals he had bespoke; but he refused
to part with so much as the wing of a partridge, though at the same time he sent
his compliments to the strangers, and giving them to understand how ill the
house was provided for their reception, invited them to partake of his supper.
Mr. Hornbeck, who was not deficient in point of politeness, and extremely well
disposed for a relishing meal, which he had
