Here his lordship yawned.

“But the most literary society is in Boston. Boston is the Athens of the United States.”

“Is it a nice place?” inquired his lordship.

“Why, I do not exactly know what your lordship means by a nice place; but it is one of the handsomest places in the United States.”

“Hem!”

“It has a most beautiful common.”

“Ay, ay!”

“And a most magnificent state-house; from the top of which you have a most superb view of the neighbouring country.”

“So!”

“And not more than three miles from it is Harvard College, the most ancient and distinguished university in the country.”