Five Years of Youth; Or, Sense and Sentiment — Harriet Martineau

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830 edition. Excerpt: ... 217 CHAPTER XI. & nclu &bote. Mr. Byerley returned somewhat fatigued with his journey, but in high spirits. He said but little respecting his doings and the persons he had seen in Paris, but was very communicative about all that happened on the road. He had been much entertained by one man in particular, who had sat beside him all the way from Paris, and been very anxious to make acquaintance with the Englishman. He appeared to have very strange, erroneous notions of England, its government, and political parties. "I hope he did not lead you to talk too freely," interrupted Mr. Fletcher. "O, no r replied Mr. Byerley; "and if I had talked treason it would hardly have signified. You have no idea of the man's simplicity." "Not so good a one as he has of yours, perhaps. But what are this simple man's politics?" "Just what one might expect from such a person. He is not very well contented with the state of things in this country, but does not see how it is to be improved. He seems one of the grumblers, who set other people to work, but do nothing themselves." "What sort of looking man is he?" "A very common looking person, with a black coat and ugly brown wig." "Well, Byerley, simple as he may be, you are quite as much so, depend upon it, to talk politics in a diligence." "Oh it all depends upon who listens. This was a good-natured creature as could be. He was very civil about my accommodation, and enquired what luggage I had, that he might have an eye to its being stowed away in the right place." "Is your portmanteau safe?" enquired Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Byerley only answered by pointing to it as it lay in the hall. "Your civil friend examined it, I dare say." "Yes, such people are always curious. I saw him spelling out my name and feeling the...