"What kind of character does it bear?" "Excellent character, young gentleman; great demand for it; held in much esteem, especially by the Evangelical party." "Who are the Evangelical party?" "Excellent people, young gentleman, and excellent customers of mine," rubbing his hands; "but setting that aside," he continued gravely, "religious, good men." "Not a set of canting scoundrels?" The bookseller had placed a small book upon the counter; but he now suddenly snatched it up and returned it to the shelf; then looking at me full in the face, he said, quietly: "Young gentleman, I do not wish to be uncivil, but you had better leave the shop." "I beg your pardon if I have offended you, but I was merely repeating what I had heard." "Whoever told you so must be either a bad, or a very ignorant, man." "I wish for the book." "You shall not have it at any price." "Why not?" "I have my reasons," said the bookseller. "Will you have the kindness," said I, "to tell me whose statue it is which stands there on horseback?" "Charles the First." "And where is Cromwell's?" "You may walk far enough about London, or, indeed, about England, before you will find a statue of Cromwell, young gentleman." "Well, I could not help thinking that was his." "How came you to think so?" "I thought it would be just the place for a statue to the most illustrious Englishman. It is where I would place one were I prime minister." "Well, I do think that Charles would look better a little farther down, opposite to Whitehall, for example," said the bookseller, rubbing his hands. "Do you really wish to have the book?" "Very much." "Well, here it is; no price, young gentleman; no price--can't break my word--give the money, if you like, to the beggars in the street. Cromwell is the first Englishman who endeavoured to put all sects on an equality. Wouldn't do, though--world too fond of humbug--still is. However, good day, young gentleman, and when you are prime minister, do not forget the two statues."] I should say that I scarcely walked less than thirty miles about the big city on the day of my first arrival. Night came on, but still I was walking about, my eyes wide open, and admiring everything that presented itself to them. Everything was new to me, for everything is different in London from what it is elsewhere--the people, their language, the horses, the _tout ensemble_--even the stones of London are different from others--at least it appeared to me that I had never walked with the same ease and facility on the flag-stones of a country town as on those of London; so I continued roving about till night came on, and then the splendour of some of the shops particularly struck me. "A regular Arabian nights' entertainment!" said I, as I looked into one on Cornhill, gorgeous with precious merchandise, and lighted up with lustres, the rays of which were reflected from a hundred mirrors.