“The value of goods exposed at such fairs must be startling, if capable of being calculated,” said Herbert.
“The system of fair-tolls makes this an easy matter. In 1839, the value of goods exposed at twenty-two of the fairs of Russia, reached fifteen millions and a half, of which Novgorod contributed nearly one half.”
“Roubles,” suggested Thompson.
“No, sterling pounds.” With this digressive conversation, the evening closed.
CHAPTER VIII.
Southey’s Thalaba—The Suggestions of the Evil One—Cotonolapes, the Magician—The Garden of Aloaddin—The Old Man of the Mountain—The Assassins—Their Rise and Fall—Gay’s Conjurer—Sir Guido, the Crusader—Guy, Earl of Warwick.
“Are you going to give us a specimen of the late Laureate’s conversions,” said Thompson, “that you borrowed my Southey?”
“Even so—to claim for the magic garden of Aloaddin, the gem of the sixth book of Thalaba, at least a Latin form, if it must not be regarded as a striking instance of my Eastern theory.”