are property, but of what use is a valuable of which you cannot dispose or deposit at a pawnbroker’s, while you are prevented proceeding on your way by that neat white gate with the neat white box of a house at its side?  The only alternative left to the young men was to drive home again, dinnerless, a distance of twenty miles, with a jaded horse, or to find gratuitous accommodation for man and beast.  In such a case Sheridan would simply have driven to the first inn, and by persuasion or stratagem contrived to elude payment, after having drunk the best wine and eaten the best dinner the house could afford.  Hook was really more refined, as well as bolder in his pillaging.

The villa of the retired tradesman was perceived, and the gig soon drew up before the door.  The strangers were ushered in to the watchmaker, and Hook, with great politeness and a serious respectful look, addressed him.  He said that he felt he was taking a great liberty—­so he was—­but that he could not pass the door of a man who had done the country so much service by the invention of what must prove the most useful and valuable instrument, without expressing to him the gratitude which he, as a British subject devoted to his country’s good, could not but feel towards the inventor, &c. &c.  The flattery was so delicately and so seriously insinuated, that the worthy citizen could only receive it as an honest expression of sincere admiration.  The Rubicon was passed; a little lively conversation, artfully made attractive by Hook, followed, and the watchmaker was more and more gratified.  He felt, too, what an honour it would be to entertain two real gentlemen, and remarking that they were far from town, brought out at last the longed-for invitation, which was, of course, declined as out of the question.  Thereupon the old gentleman became pressing:  the young strangers were at last prevailed upon to accept it, and very full justice they did to the larder and cellar of the successful chronometer-maker.

There is nothing very original in the act of hoaxing, and Hook’s way of getting a hackney-coach without paying for it, was, perhaps, suggested by Sheridan’s, but was more laughable.  Finding himself in the vehicle, and knowing that there was nothing either in his purse or at home to pay the fare, he cast about for expedients, and at last remembered the address of an eminent surgeon in the neighbourhood.  He ordered the coachman to drive to his house and knock violently at the door, which was no sooner opened than Hook rushed in, terribly agitated, demanded to see the doctor, to whom in a few incoherent and agitated sentences, he gave to understand that his wife needed his services, immediately, being on the point of becoming a mother.

‘I will start directly,’ replied the surgeon; ’I will order my carriage at once.’

’But, my dear sir, there is not a moment to spare.  I have a coach at the door, jump into that.’

The surgeon obeyed.  The name and address given were those of a middle-aged spinster of the most rigid virtue.  We can imagine her indignation, and how sharply she rung the bell, when the surgeon had delicately explained the object of his visit, and how eagerly he took refuge in the coach.  Hook had, of course, walked quietly away in the meantime, and the Galenite had to pay the demand of Jehu.