Hebrew Bible, in four folio volumes, 1753, “do you think this copy dear at fourteen francs?” said he!—­“How, Sir,” (replied I, in an exstacy of astonishment)—­you mean to say fourteen louis?” “Not at all, Sir.  I purchased it at the price just mentioned, nor do I think it too dear at that sum”—­resumed he, in the most unsuspecting manner.  I then told him, as a sort of balsamic consolation, that a late friend (I alluded to poor Mr. Ormerod) rejoiced on giving L12. for a copy by no means superior.  “Ah, le bon Dieu!....” was his only observation thereupon.

When about to return to the boudoir, through which we had entered, I observed with mingled surprise and pleasure, the four prettily executed English prints, after the drawings of the present Lady Spencer, called “New Shoes”—­“Nice Supper” &c.  Monsieur ——­ was pleased at my stopping to survey them.  “Ce sont la, Monsieur (observed he), les dames qui me font toujours compagnie:”—­nor can you conceive the very soft and gentlemanly manner, accompanied by a voice subdued even to sadness of tone, with which he made this, and almost every observation.  I found, indeed, from the whole tenor of his discourse, that he had a mind in no ordinary a state of cultivation:  and on observing that a great portion of his library was THEOLOGICAL, I asked him respecting the general subjects upon which he thought and wrote.  He caught hold of my left arm, and stooping (for he is much taller than myself, ... which he easily may be, methinks I hear you add...) “Sir, said he, I am by profession a clergyman ... although now I am designated as an ex-Cure.  I have lived through the Revolution... and may have partaken of some of its irregularities, rather, I should hope than of its atrocities.  In the general hue-and-cry for reform, I thought that our church was capable of very great improvement, and I think so still.  The part I took was influenced by conscientious motives, rather than by a blind and vehement love of reform;... but it has never been forgiven or forgotten.  The established clergy of the place do not associate with me; but I care not a farthing for that—­since I have here (pointing to his books) the very best society in the world.  It was from the persuasion of the clergy having a constantly-fixed eye upon me, that I told you I was watched ... when walking near the precincts of the cathedral.  I had been seeking you during the whole of the office of ordination.”  In reply to my question about his archaeological researches, he said he was then occupied in writing a disquisition upon the Bayeux Tapestry, in which he should prove that the Abbe de la Rue was wrong in considering it as a performance of the XIIth century.  “He is your great antiquarian oracle”—­observed I.  “He has an over-rated reputation”—­replied he—­“and besides, he is too hypothetical.”  Monsieur ——­ promised to send me a copy of his dissertation, when printed; and then let our friend N——­ be judge “in