But Basil had peculiar views as to money.

He considered himself a genius, and that Peter should be proud to support him until, as he phrased it, he had "stamped his name on the age"! But the stamping took a long time, and Basil troubled himself very little about the matter.

He remarked that genius should not be forced, and loafed away the greater portion of his days.

His mother kept him in pocket-money and clothes, Peter supplied board and lodging, and Basil got through life very pleasantly.

He wished to be famous, to have his name in every mouth and his portrait in every paper; but the work that was necessary to obtain these desirable things he was unwilling to do.