I speedily joined the worthy and well-known landlord of the “Wheatsheaf”--Mr. Jennings, and his cheerful wife and barmaid; all of whom gave me a hearty country welcome, shaking my hands and arms in every direction _ad libitum_, in anticipation, no doubt, of my remembering them for a few days at all events. At the close of this gymnastic exercise, I requested them to give me some breakfast, in the small pavilion near the garden; also some pens, ink, and paper. My request was at once attended to. “Do you intend to stay with us a few days, Mr. Soyer?” asked the landlord. “No; I shall try and get back this evening, if possible--but to-morrow morning, at the latest. I only came to close a few pending accounts of my last summer’s stay at your lovely Virginia Water, and am going to Paris for the Exhibition, having been offered the superintendence of a large establishment.” “But I hear that the Exhibition is postponed till next year.” “So it is; but this is to be quite a new building, and erected close to the Exhibition, if we can get permission granted.” “Good morning, sir; I shall see you before you leave. I am only going to the farm.” “Yes, you will.” I was sitting down to my breakfast, when, to my annoyance, as I had much business to transact, some one knocked at the door, and, without waiting for the reply, came in. It was the landlord, with a face full of anxiety and astonishment, his glasses raised to his forehead, a newspaper in his hand, and looking as serious as if he had just been married, or had lost one of his favourite pups. “I say, master,” said he, “do you mean it?” “Mean what, man?” “But now, really! do you mean it?” “I’m puzzled to know to what you allude. Is it about my trip to Paris?” “Paris! no, that has nothing to do with the letter of yours I have just read in the _Times_ of this day.” “Oh! now I understand you, and can easily account for your long face and evident astonishment.” “Now you understand me, don’t you?” “Of course I do.” “Well, allow me to tell you frankly that you are very foolish; you are not a military man, and have made the offer, it is true, very likely in a moment of enthusiasm; but plead any excuse you can to get out of it if you are sent for; remain where you are--‘Good folks are scarce,’ says the proverb.” “Thanks to the proverb first, and you afterwards,” said I. “And if you do go, it is a hundred to one against your returning.” “Many thanks for your frank advice; but I am determined to go, and if Government send for me, I wish to be ready at a day’s notice; so sure I am that I can render some services to my fellow-creatures by so doing.” “I have no doubt you can--but you may catch the fever, or God knows what besides! Why, they are dying by fifties and sixties a-day in the hospital at Scutari; look, here is the latest account, the names of the poor fellows defunct, and number of their regiments. There is no mistake in that.”