depends the future of England. In days gone by, our very Snob bore
testimony after his fashion to our scorn of meanness; he at all events
imagined himself to be imitating those who were incapable of a sordid
transaction, of a plebeian compliance. But the Snob, one notes, is in
the way of degeneracy; he has new exemplars; he speaks a ruder language.
Him, be sure, in one form or another, we shall have always with us, and
to observe his habits is to note the tenor of the time. If he have at
the back of his dim mind no living ideal which lends his foolishness a
generous significance, then indeed--_videant consules_.



XXIII.


A visit from N-. He stayed with me two days, and I wish he could have
stayed a third. (Beyond the third day, I am not sure that any man would
be wholly welcome. My strength will bear but a certain amount of
conversation, even the pleasantest, and before long I desire solitude,
which is rest.)

The mere sight of N-, to say nothing of his talk, did me good. If
appearances can ever be trusted, there are few men who get more enjoyment
out of life. His hardships were never excessive; they did not affect his
health or touch his spirits; probably he is in every way a better man for
having--as he says--"gone through the mill." His recollection of the
time when he had to work hard for a five-pound note, and was not always
sure of getting it, obviously lends gusto to his present state of ease. I
persuaded him to talk about his successes, and to give me a glimpse of
their meaning in solid cash. Last Midsummer day, his receipts for the