In the little village of -, on the coast, there is an inn, the comforts of which can only be appreciated by those who have chanced to locate themselves there; but, lest it should be suspected that the writer of this sketch is only the landlord in disguise, wielding his grey goosequill to puff his manand-horse convenience into notice, I shall not particularize further, and consequently avoid any protracted descriptions of its excellencies. I was in the habit of resorting thither of an evening, during a temporary sojourn in the village a few summers since, to smoke my cigar, enjoy the genuine decoction of malt and hops served out by the proprietor, and mingle in the general conversation of the parlour. I thus became acquainted with the following curious particulars: - One day a person of gentlemanly exterior entered the house, covered with dust, and apparently fatigued by a long pedestrian journey. His dress, a suit of elegant and fashionable make, consisted of a coat with gilt buttons, which the residuum of the road scarcely allowed to be distinguished as a blue one, black trousers, and white marcella waistcoat, in the same condition, as were also his shirt and cravat. He carried over his shoulder a small travelling-bag, which he tossed carelessly, as he entered, upon one of the parlour seats. His age might have been between thirty and forty; but some furrows, which care appeared to have wrought on his countenance, made this rather a matter of doubt. He ordered refreshments; and, having satisfied his inward man, he desired to be shown to a private room, in order to the refreshing of his outward one. All this took place with

out any thing extraordinary having occurred. He shortly after began to make some observations to the waiter concerning the beauty of the prospect from the room in which they were; and ultimately requested to be informed as to the charges for board and lodging, adding he might stay some days, perhaps some weeks. All his remarks were made in tones and manner of kindly, though not undignified condescension, with which the waiter was so enchanted that he flew, with more than

NO. CCXCIII. VOL. XLVII.

extraordinary speed, to execute the stranger's behests. The landlord and his lady, no less delighted with their man's account, were equally in haste to satisfy the stranger's gratifying curiosity. As the latter was retiring with his answer, the landlady ejaculated with a thankful voice, "Enquire the gentleman's name, Ben." Meanwhile the new comer had stationed himself at the window; and, with his eyes fixed upon the waste of waters, on which here and there a vessel was to be seen careering on its course, as if rejoicing in the peaceful zephyrs which were urging it onwards, he was absorbed in meditation, which at first prevented his noticing the return of the attendant, till the reiterated sound of the expressive monosyllables, "There, sir, if you please," accompanied by the bill of charges, roused him from his reverie. He received it in his hitherto courteous manner, glanced his eye over it, and saying, "Very well, I agree to them," he motioned Ben to leave the room. Ben, however, true to his vocation, tarried while he begged to know the gentleman's name. To his amazement, the stranger's countenance instantly loured, and his astonished ears were greeted with a sharp and surly exclamation of "What the devil do you want with my name? Begone!" Ben would have explained; but perceiving something of an ill-boding cast in the expression of the stranger's looks, he hastily retreated, in the first place, to inform his master and mistress of the issue of his errand, and then to confer with his friends, ostler and boots, upon the phenomenon. Boniface received the tale with some degree of wonder and incredulity, as some tradesmanlike conjectures entered his brains: he, moreover, suspected that his man, by some ill behaviour, had affronted the gentleman; perhaps all was not as it should be. Strengthened in his considerations by his spouse, he determined to investigate the matter himself; and for that purpose ascended to the room, where the gentleman was found sitting at a table with a number of papers before him, and apparently engrossed in deep reflection. At the

X

landlord's approach he raised his head, and gently bowed without rising. The latter made an humble obeisancehoped he was served to his satisfaction; that he was refreshed after his fatigues -dusty roads-warm weather a little rain acceptable-with other remarks of the same kind, which all acquainted with inns will readily conceive. To all of them Mr B. (the landlord) obtained such polite replies, that he internally threatened vengeance against Ben for his supposed misconduct. Mrs B., whom a certain well-known feminine quality had impelled to ascend likewise, at this instant made her appearance, and was received as her husband had been.

"Your good lady, I suppose? - very comfortable, I dare say?"

These common topics having been run over, Mr B. found the time was come to ascertain if Ben's tale was correct, and cunningly prefaced the question by observing" Your honour, this is about the post time-does your honour expect any letters, because Ben shall fetch them?"

"No!" was the only answer.

"Or if any parcels arrive, how shall I distinguish them?"

"None will arrive," said the unknown, manifesting symptoms of impatience.

Mr B., finding that his insinuations were useless, resolved with some hardihood, considering the risk, to plump upon the main point at once; so, assuming his most obsequious air, he asked, "And by what name shall I attend upon your honour?"

The same astounding exclamation struck his auricular nerves which had struck those of his servant before.

"What the devil do you want with my name?" bawled the stranger in an interrogative accent, starting at the same time from the chair-a motion which caused both Mr and Mrs B., almost without their own knowledge, to progress, crab-like, nearer to the door.

Perceiving, however, that the nameless one did not move from the table, the former returned to the charge, carefully observing that the stairs were within available distance. "Because, your honour, it is convenient for booking."

"I haven't got a name-I won't have a name!" interrupted the unknown, with increasing anger. "If it suited

my convenience, I would leave your house instantly - I haven't got a name!"

"Haven't got a name?" timidly responded Mr B.

"No!" said the other. "Have you got a name?-has your wife got a name?-has your man got a name?"

"Yes, sir," answered Mr B., meekly. "Then why a'n't you satisfied with your own names-what do you want with mine?"

This was decisive; the tone and manner in which these last words were uttered, showing that the stranger was impatient of further discourse. Mr B. and his wife therefore withdrew; both sympathetically and doggedly resolving that no credit ought to be given to a man who had no name. B. entered in his daybook the nameless man so much, and was making out the bill in all expedition, intending to dispatch Ben up stairs with it, and an intimation that no credit was given; when the bell sounded to a fresh parley. As Ben was not immediately at hand, having, as I have before said, skulked off to discuss and surmise upon the matter with his friends in the stable, Mr B. was obliged to re-ascend himself. The stranger, who was still standing, received him to his surprise with his first bland demeanour, and mildly observed, "I suppose, sir, you are fearful of my solvency-it is natural. There is payment for this day's board and lodging-give me a receipt -and see that you serve me well. Mind, I am giving you credit now;" and, as he spoke these words, he pulled out a seemingly well-filled purse from one pocket, a memorandum-book from a second, a portable inkhorn from a third, and presented to Mr B. the materials for furnishing him with the desired receipt. B. felt some strange misgivings; but a reflection, something like that of Vespasian upon a certain inodorous tax, crossing his mind, he thought he might as well have the money. This business settled, the stranger added, "Send in your bill every morning, and don't trouble me;" on which Mr B. returned to his wife to inform her of what had taken place, while Ben, who had resumed his duties at the bar, listened to the particulars, occasionally joining in the talk, and all agreeing that it was very odd.

At this period I was engaged in an easy tour, with a view to recruit my health, which had been impaired by my exertions in a cause conducted by a law firm in London, of which I had lately been admitted a partner; and the long vacation having commenced, I was not much restricted as to time. On my route, the agreeable situation of the village induced me to make a lengthened stay in it, and I had been there several weeks previous to the arrival of the nameless man. As intimacy is not difficult to form in a small place, where each one knows the other. I had become tolerably sociable with Mr B., who was a very reputable character in his way, and from him I obtained the account which I have al. ready given: in what remains I am directly concerned myself.

From his manner of acting, it was evident that the stranger had not come on a kind of Dando speculation; and further consideration afforded me no ground for believing that he was a debtor avoiding his creditors, or a rogue endeavouring to evade the hand of justice; because the least experienced in villany must have been aware, that such remarkable conduct in regard to his name, would certainly attract notice, and consequently defeat any intentions of that kind. In short, I set him down as one of those eccentric beings who seem placed on earth to show what extraordinary turns the human mind can take, and who are perhaps not inaptly to be compared to those celestial orbs whose erratic movements almost defy calculation. I have a fancy for eccentrics, whom I have always found to be a harmless class enough; and as I flatter myself with the possession of a peculiar facility in forming an acquaintance with them, I determined to exert my efforts for this purpose on the present occasion.

The first night the stranger did not show himself, and I could devise no excuse for intruding on him. On the second evening, however, he en. tered the parlour, where I was sitting alone; and as it was the market-day at the town a few miles off, and we were thus not likely to be interrupted by a very full attendance, I set about prosecuting my object alone. On ob serving me he bowed, which civility being returned by me, he took a seat at the same table, and ordered cigars

and ale. A dull, unsteady eye was strongly symptomatic of a mind diseased; nevertheless I followed his example, and after a few common observations, we commenced a more general conversation. His remarks displayed the most refined taste and sensibility, as well as much varied knowledge, and clearly evinced that he had mingled in good society. I carefully refrained from any expression which might be construed into a curiosity to learn who or what he was, and therefore said nothing concerning my own pursuits, which might have appeared as an invitation to his confidence; for I have invariably found that the only mode of becoming the confidant of an eccentric is to humour his conceits. I thought I could perceive that he was pleased with my apparent uninquisitive temper, and augured favourably of the result, as by this time I had become really and sincerely desirous of rendering him any assistance in my power, and anxious to cultivate his friendship; for he seemed worthy of my exertions to attain it. An accident brought this about sooner than I had anticipated. The evening was far advanced before we thought of parting, and when we did, he gave me a friendly shake of the hand, and an invitation to dine with him next day.

The following morning, after breakfast, as I sat at my lodgings ruminating upon the strange fellowship into which we are occasionally thrown in our progress through life, I was informed that my companion of the preceding night had been taken into custody. Startled at the news, I hastened to Mr B. to ascertain what discoveries had caused the arrest; for I instantly concluded that there must have been serious reasons for such a proceeding. From Mr B. I learned that the constable of the village had that morning called at his house, and desired to see the man who would not give his name. Whereupon Ben was dispatched to intimate to the stranger that he was wanted below. He came down accordingly, in no very agreeable mood, muttering, as he descended, "Who the d-1 can want me here?" This was soon learned by the constable demanding his name; a question to which the other answered hastily, "What's my name to you ?" "Very well-you won't give your name, won't you?" rejoined the man in authority, drawing forth his staff of office; "You are my prisoner!"

"For what?" enquired the stran

ger.

"For suspicion," said the first. "Stuff and nonsense!" said the nameless one, in an impatient tone of ridicule; "Begone with you,"-and was turning away, when the constable, with all the dignity of a little mind, conscious of the possession of a portion of power, exclaimed, "I charge you all in the King's name to assist," and completed the capture by collaring the stranger, who, desisting from any further resistance, consented to be conducted to the nearest justice, the constable meanwhile making a pompous display of handcuffs, which, however, only provoked a smile. Having received this intelligence, I directed myself to the residence of the justice, a Mr W., a retired tradesman, whose capacity was but ill adapted for the station into which he had procured admission, under a system which prevails no longer, or at least not to the extent that it did. After a little dispute with some of the domestics, I was allowed to enter the room appropriated for examination, which the justice entered at another door simultaneously with myself. As I stood purposely at some distance behind the stranger, he did not observe me among the persons present. Mr W. having taken his seat at the head of the table, and demanded, with much pomposity, "Whom have we here, constable?" the cobbler (for a cobbler was this same constable) enumerated the causes which had led him to exercise the authority of one of the mighty little conservators of the King's peace. His statement was sufficiently verbose and tautological, accompanied at frequent intervals with a complacent chuckle of self-congratulation upon his activity and discernment in his jackstick capacity. His story, divested of the extraneous verbiage with which he garnished it, was simply this. While sitting in his work-bin that morning, busily employed in making overalls for the understandings, some of his gossips brought him full confirmation of an account, whereof " he had only by parcels heard" the day before, owing to his absence at the market-town, "that a person had taken up his residence at the sign of the Bear, with the significant remark that he might stop

a few days, perhaps a few weeks, but who refused to give any name;" he therefore sagaciously inferred, by combining the words in the one case with the want of them in the other, that the stranger was at all events a suspicious character, if not a dangerous one, and hence deemed it essential to his reputation to exert his prerogative, more particularly after he had been received in the doubtful manner which marked the nameless one's behaviour on the announcement that one "in authority under the King" desired to speak with him. He added, "Your worship can tell whether I've done my duty or not," by way of a suggestion to the utterance of his worship's praise for Master Sutor's diligence. Mr W., puffed up with the consequence of a man who was sensible that he had the power of officially bestowing or withholding praise, answered "assuredly," -an ambiguous answer, which doubtless did not meet the cobbler's expectations; and then proceeded to interrogate the stranger, who had listened with the most exemplary patience, by requiring to know "What he had to say to the charge." "What charge?" asked the maledictus, quietly; a counterquestion which appeared rather to nonplus his worship, for in fact no direct charge had yet been made. The man of the staff looked at the justice, and the justice looked at the man of the staff, both perceiving the difficulty, but neither seeing any way of overcoming it, until at length the former desired the latter to name his charge. The constable reiterated his statement, concluding this time, very logically, that no honest man would be ashamed of his name-ergo, the prisoner was a rogue-a mode of reasoning with which Mr W., to judge by his affirmative nods, was satisfied; and commencing anew his interrogations, he asked, "What are you, sir?" putting on one of his sternest looks, no doubt thinking to awe the stranger. The latter, however, nothing daunted, pulled up and buttoned his coat, with the air of one thoroughly resolved not to comply with any of these inquisitorial demands, and, as coolly as before replied, " A man, sir." " Come, none of your jeers-do you know where you are, sir?" said Mr W., warming into anger. The other, most disregardingly, only responded, " Where