who,  if  he  wished  to  pass  for  a  Captain,  had  only
done  so  because  he  had  an  intense  respect  and
longing  for  rank:  if  he  had  made  love  to  the
Baroness,  had  only  done  so  because  he  was  given
to  understand,  by  Lord  Byron's  Don  Juan,  that
making  love  was  a  very  correct,  natty  thing :  and
if  he  had  gambled,  had  only  been  induced  to  do  so
by  the  bright  eyes  and  example  of  the  Baron  and
the  Baroness.  O  ye  Barons  and  Baronesses  of
England!  if  ye  knew  what  a  number  of  small
commoners  are  daily  occupied  in  studying  your
lives,  and  imitating  your  aristocratic  ways,  how
careful  would  ye  be  of  your  morals,  manners,  and
conversation !

My  soul  was  filled,  then,  with  a  gentle  yearning
pity  for  Pogson,  and  revolved  many  plans  for  his
rescue :  none  of  these  seeming  to  be  practicable,
at  last  we  hit  on  the  very  wisest  of  all ;  and  deter-
mined to  apply  for  counsel  to  no  less  a  person
than  Major  British.
A  blessing  it  is  to  be  acquainted  with  my
worthy  friend,  little  Major  British;  and  heaven,
sure,  it  was  that  put  the  Major  into  my  head,  when
I  heard  of  this  awkward  scrape  of  poor  Pog's.
The  Major  is  on  half-pay,  and  occupies  a  modest


A    CAUTION    TO    TRAVELLERS.  49

apartment,  au  quatrieme,  in  the  very  hotel  which
Pogson  had  patronised,  at  my  suggestion :  indeed,
I  had  chosen  it  from  Major  British's  own  pecu-
liar recommendation.
