SIR EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, who, like Byron, (in this one instance only)
"wanted a hero," had the good fortune to lay his hands upon the history of
the celebrated George Barrington of picking-pocket notoriety. That worthy,
describing the progress he made for the good of his country, related some
strange particulars of a foreign bird, called the Secretary, or
Snake-eater, which Sir Edward, from his knowledge of the natural history
of his friend John Wilson Croker, declares to be the immediate connecting
link between the English Admiralty Secretary, or "Toad-eater."
* * * * *
"NOT EXACTLY."
"Have you been much at sea?"
"Why no, _not exactly_; but my brother married an admiral's daughter!"
"Were you ever abroad?"
"No, _not exactly_; but my mother's maiden name was 'French.'"
* * * * *