The long sittings in drinking-houses, which even the bad times did not prevent, were no small sorrow to Anton.

He saw that men worked much less, and talked and drank much more in this country than in his.

Whenever he had succeeded in getting a matter arranged, he could not dispense with the succeeding breakfast.

Then buyers, sellers, assistants, and hangers-on of every kind sat at a round table together in one of the taverns; began with porter, ate Caviare by the pound, and washed it down with red Bordeaux wine.

Hospitality was dispensed on all sides; every familiar face must come and take a share in the banquet; and so the company went on increasing till evening closed.