. Memoirs of an author. antiquarian wit, and was wellflavoured with the old literary humour; witnessthis superscription of a letter which went dulythrough the post and was delivered : Ffor my worthie ffriend, and worshipfule Maister and schoolfellow Percy Fitzgerald esqtiier, a member of y^ Societie of Antiquaries who dwelleth in hys mansyon at No. 32 Merrion Strete, going out of y^ Merrion Square, in y^ Citie of Dublin. These with specie and care. When I was staying at Walton Hall, I madesome notes, from which the following extractsare taken : When I got out at Wakefield a porter asked if Iwa
. Memoirs of an author. antiquarian wit, and was wellflavoured with the old literary humour; witnessthis superscription of a letter which went dulythrough the post and was delivered : Ffor my worthie ffriend, and worshipfule Maister and schoolfellow Percy Fitzgerald esqtiier, a member of y^ Societie of Antiquaries who dwelleth in hys mansyon at No. 32 Merrion Strete, going out of y^ Merrion Square, in y^ Citie of Dublin. These with specie and care. When I was staying at Walton Hall, I madesome notes, from which the following extractsare taken : When I got out at Wakefield a porter asked if Iwas going on t Squoires, and said that t yongsquoire had been in that day. Everybody knew* Squoire Weaterton. He came out to open thedoor himself. The cab had to draw up when-wecame to the bridge, as there was no road overit, only a footpath, another oddity of t introduced me in the parlour to his twosisters-in-law, somewhat prim, like characters outof Miss Austens novels, but they proved veryagreeable CHARLES WATERTON AT WALTON HALL.{A sketch by the author.) AN EVENING WITH WATERTON 231 The order of living was decidedly uncomfort-able, if original. Breakfast was punctually ateight, often by candlelight; dinner at one, withvery hot, much-roasted fare. During dinner Squoire picked a bit, and a quaint figure hewas ; but generally he stood with his back to thefire, which was made to roar and blaze again, ashe was always cold. It was imperative that thewindows behind the guests should be kept wideopen to create a free current of air. In the evenings he would relax pleasantlyenough, and relate many curious things out ofhis long life, the wole of which—so he pro-nounced it, for he was genuine Yorkshire —was interesting. He is indeed an honest, sincereman, and acts as he thinks, and strictly a man that gets up at three oclock everymorning! This day he showed me his pillow, alittle black block of wood, worn smooth by twentyyears use—his bed the floor.
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Keywords: ., bo, bookauthorwordsworthcollection, bookcentury1800, bookyear1895
