The cottages in this part of Cumberland partake of the rudeness which characterises those of Scotland.

The outside of the house promised little for the interior, notwithstanding the vaunt of a sign, where a tankard of ale voluntarily decanted itself into a tumbler, and a hieroglyphical scrawl below attempted to express a promise of 'good entertainment for man and horse.' Brown was no fastidious traveller: he stopped and entered the cabaret.

[Footnote: See Note 2.] The first object which caught his eye in the kitchen was a tall, stout, country-looking man in a large jockey great-coat, the owner of the horse which stood in the shed, who was busy discussing huge slices of cold boiled beef, and casting from time to time an eye through the window to see how his steed sped with his provender.

A large tankard of ale flanked his plate of victuals, to which he applied himself by intervals.

The good woman of the house was employed in baking.