BULLER.

I KNOW there is nothing you dislike so much as personal observations-
On myself to myself-not at all on others.

NORTH.

BULLER.

Yet I cannot help telling you to your face, sir, that you are one of the finest looking old men

NORTH.

Elderly gentlemen, if you please, sir.

VOL. LXVI.

BULLER.

In Britain, in Europe, in the World. I am perfectly serious, sir. You are.

NORTH.

You needed not to say you were perfectly serious; for I suffer no man to be ironical on Me, Mr Buller. I am.

BULLER.

Such a change since we came to Cladich! Seward was equally shocked, with myself, at your looks on board the Steamer. So lean-so bent-so sallow-so haggard-in a word-so aged!

NORTH.

Were you shocked, Seward?

SEWARD.

Buller has such a blunt way with him that he often makes me blush. I was not shocked, my dear sir, but I was affected.

BULLER.

Turning to me, he said in a whisper, "What a wreck!"

VOL. LXVI.-NO. CCCCV.

A