I said that the literature of Spain was a first-rate literature, but that it was not very extensive.

He asked me whether I did not think that Lope de Vega was much overrated.
"Not a bit," said I; "Lope de Vega was one of the greatest geniuses that ever lived.

He was not only a great dramatist and lyric poet, but a prose writer of marvellous ability, as he proved by several admirable tales, amongst which is the best ghost story in the world." Another remarkable person whom I got acquainted with about this time was A---, the innkeeper, who lived a little way down the road, of whom John Jones had spoken so highly, saying, amongst other things, that he was the clebberest man in Llangollen.

One day as I was looking in at his gate, he came forth, took off his hat, and asked me to do him the honour to come in and look at his grounds.

I complied, and as he showed me about he told me his history in nearly the following words:-- "I am a Devonian by birth.