This eBook was produced by Dagny, and David Widger, BOOK V. PARODY. My hero, turned author, lies mute in this section, You may pass by the place if you're bored by reflection: But if honest enough to be fond of the Muse, Stay, and read where you're able, and sleep where you choose. THEOC. /Epig. in Hippon/. CHAPTER I. "My genius spreads her wing, And flies where Britain courts the western spring. * * * * * Pride in their port, defiance in their eye, I see the lords of human kind pass by, Intent on high designs."-GOLDSMITH. I HAVE no respect for the Englishman who re-enters London after long residence abroad without a pulse that beats quick and a heart that heaves high. The public buildings are few, and, for the most part, mean; the monuments of antiquity not comparable to those which the pettiest town in Italy can boast of; the palaces are sad rubbish; the houses of our peers and princes are shabby and shapeless heaps of brick. But what of all this? the spirit of London is in her thoroughfares--her population! What wealth--what cleanliness--what order--what animation! How majestic, and yet how vivid, is the life that runs through her myriad veins! How, as the lamps blaze upon you at night, and street after street glides by your wheels, each so regular in its symmetry, so equal in its civilization--how all speak of the CITY OF FREEMEN. Yes, Maltravers felt his heart swell within him as the post-horses whirled on his dingy carriage--over Westminster Bridge--along Whitehall--through Regent Street--towards one of the quiet and private-house-like hotels that are scattered round the neighbourhood of Grosvenor Square. Ernest's arrival had been expected. He had written from Paris to Cleveland to announce it; and Cleveland had, in reply, informed him that he had engaged apartments for him at Mivart's. The smiling waiters ushered him into a spacious and well-aired room--the armchair was already wheeled by the fire--a score or so of letters strewed the table, together with two of the evening papers. And how eloquently of busy England do those evening papers speak! A stranger might have felt that he wanted no friend to welcome him--the whole room smiled on him a welcome.