pronunciation. There were now two points of sympathy between us; and what music began, Shakspeare--not to mention the brandy--completed. We parted that night as if we had been friends for years, and he was to return my visit on the following night. All people are capable of being thawed, however thick the coat of ice may appear to be at first--only it takes longer to melt in some than in others. After my mother had retired--for our fellow lodger returned my visit without delay--when the second tumbler shone upon the table, and a small shining brass kettle on the hob was singing its accompaniment to our conversation, I began a few fishing questions as to his history and position, for I felt rather ashamed of my own openness on the previous evening. "Have you been long in England?" I inquired. "'Es--no; a few months--or 'ears. I not know." "You speak the language extremely well, considering you have been here so short a time." The foreigner twirled his moustaches, and took a pull at the tumbler. "I must say John Bull, though a little rough in his manner, is very kind and generous to foreigners." "Ver'; too mosh," said Catsbach. "And this is truly and honourably called the home of the patriot and the exile," I said. "The fact is," said Mr Catsbach, in a perfectly English pronunciation, and with some energy, "our friend Jack is the greatest fool alive." I started back. "Why, how well you speak," I cried; "but who is Jack?" "Why, John Bull," he said. "The shallowest, bellowingest old beast that ever carried a horn. You talk of those exiles and fellows who can find no living in their own country, and come over here to eat up the fat of the land." "You amaze me. Aren't you one of the refugees yourself?" "Never was out of England in my life, and never will be," replied Mr Catsbach. "But you must pardon me, my dear fellow, for not having explained myself to you before. I am no foreigner, and never was--only I wear these embellishments on cheek and chin for a particular purpose; and fortunately Jack is fool enough for anything, and never suspects any man if he speaks with a strange accent and wears a queer-cut coat." I drew back a little, not feeling quite sure of the reason for which Mr Catsbach had assumed his disguise. He saw my movement. "You're not such a fool as Jack, I perceive," he said; "and suppose that all may not be right, in spite of foreign garb and hairy countenance. Be easy on that score," he continued. "You are a fine, honourable young fellow, full of learning and genius--your mother is a perfect lady--the brandy also is excellent; and I will tell you a small portion of my story, just to show you that I am not altogether unworthy of the society of all three." My mother was absent; the brandy, however, and I were present, and I bowed to his compliment.