"I am quite sure," he said, "that you are an American--perhaps a New Englander; _I_ am both; why, then, should not countrymen beguile an unpleasant day in company? Excuse me--I did hear your order just now, and as it suited my own taste, I proposed to myself that we should breakfast together;--we may trust to Francois; he has been here, to my knowledge, more than twenty years, and pleases every body." I pressed the hand of my new acquaintance--acknowledged myself to be from New Hampshire--gave my name, and received in return--"Philip Belcher." We sat down to the same table, and very soon Francois appeared with a well-served breakfast. "Pray," said I, "what _can_ one do to relieve the monotony of this intolerable place? If the country about were agreeable--nay, if it were bearable! but as it is, I repeat, what is to be done?" "Done!" said Mr. Belcher, rather sharply, "a hundred things! Put on your Mackintosh and overshoes; come with me to the Courtgain, and see the fishermen putting to sea, their boats towed out by their wives and daughters; a sight, I will be bound, you have not beheld, although you may have coursed Europe over, and been at Calais half a dozen times." Mr. Belcher proceeded in this vein, detailing many things that could be seen to advantage even in Calais; but as he suggested nothing which interested me so much as he himself did, I had the boldness to tell him so, and that my curiosity was excited to know more of him. "There is nothing in my history that can amuse a stranger; indeed, it is without incident or marvel. To be sure, I am alone in the world, but I have never been afflicted, or suffered misfortune, within my recollection. My parents died when I was very young; my father and mother were both only children; a small property which the former left was carefully invested, and faithfully nursed during my minority, by a scrupulous and honest lawyer, in no way connected with us, but whom my father named as executor in his will, and my guardian. Ill health prevented my getting on at school. I can't say that I was an invalid, but my constitution was delicate and my temperament nervous. I tried to make some progress in the study of a profession, under my excellent guardian, but was forced to give it up as too trying to my nerves. The excitement of a court-room I could not endure for a day, much less for a lifetime. Before I was twenty-five, my income had so much increased that I could afford to travel. I have gained in this way my health, which, however, would become impaired should I return to a sedentary life; so, as a matter of necessity, I have wandered about the world. You see my story is soon told."