THE GIFT OF FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY July 3, 1927 F. Shoberl, Jun., Printer to H R.H. Prince Albert, Rupert Street. THE NEXT OF KIN. A MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. Is there a spot of earth in this world of steam-carriages and steam-packets, where a man may sit down in peace and quietness to indite his memoirs? I have tried the country, I have tried the town-have fled forth like a raven from my ark, and found no resting-place for my desk,—or, within my ark, fallen a prey to those spendthrifts of leisure, morning visitors, who, while squandering their own lives, involve their neighbours in their ruin. For three years past have I been wandering from pillar to post, vainly biding my time to connect, with form and deliberation, the story of my life. But alas! in this stirring whirring world of locomotion, the free enjoyment of one's VOL. III. B |