As I was passing through one of the suburbs, I saw, all on a sudden, a respectable-looking female fall down in a fit; several persons hastened to her assistance.  ‘She is dead,’ said one.  ‘No, she is not,’ said another.  ‘I am afraid she is,’ said a third.  ‘Life is very uncertain,’ said a fourth.  ‘It is Mrs. —–­,’ said a fifth; ’let us carry her to her own house.’  Not being able to render any assistance, I left the poor female in the hands of her townsfolk, and proceeded on my way.  I had chosen a road in the direction of the north-west, it led over downs where corn was growing, but where neither tree nor hedge was to be seen; two or three hours’ walking brought me to a beautiful valley, abounding with trees of various kinds, with a delightful village at its farthest extremity; passing through it, I ascended a lofty acclivity, on the top of which I sat down on a bank, and, taking off my hat, permitted a breeze, which swept coolly and refreshingly over the downs, to dry my hair, dripping from the effects of exercise and the heat of the day.

And as I sat there, gazing now at the blue heavens, now at the downs before me, a man came along the road in the direction in which I had hitherto been proceeding:  just opposite to me he stopped, and, looking at me, cried—­’Am I right for London, master?’

He was dressed like a sailor, and appeared to be between twenty-five and thirty years of age—­he had an open manly countenance, and there was a bold and fearless expression in his eye.

‘Yes,’ said I, in reply to his question; ’this is one of the ways to London.  Do you come from far?’

‘From —–­,’ said the man, naming a well-known seaport.

‘Is this the direct road to London from that place?’ I demanded.

‘No,’ said the man; ’but I had to visit two or three other places on certain commissions I was intrusted with; amongst others to —–­, where I had to take a small sum of money.  I am rather tired, master; and, if you please, I will sit down beside you.’

‘You have as much right to sit down here as I have,’ said I; ’the road is free for every one; as for sitting down beside me, you have the look of an honest man, and I have no objection to your company.’

‘Why, as for being honest, master,’ said the man, laughing and sitting down by me, ’I haven’t much to say—­many is the wild thing I have done when I was younger; however, what is done, is done.  To learn, one must live, master; and I have lived long enough to learn the grand point of wisdom.’

‘What is that?’ said I.

‘That honesty is the best policy, master.’

‘You appear to be a sailor,’ said I, looking at his dress.

‘I was not bred a sailor,’ said the man, ’though, when my foot is on the salt water, I can play the part—­and play it well too.  I am now from a long voyage.’

‘From America?’ said I.

‘Farther than that,’ said the man.