CHAPTER XI .-- ALE, GIVE THEM ALE, AND LET IT BE STRONG--A MAIN OF.
COCKS--LAVENGRO CONSOLES THE LANDLORD, WHO PROPOUNDS A NOVEL PLAN FOR THE LIQUIDATION OF DEBTS.
Amongst other excursions, I went several times to the public-house, to which I introduced the reader in a former chapter.

I had experienced such beneficial effects from the ale I had drunk on that occasion, that I had wished to put its virtue to a frequent test; nor did the ale on subsequent trials belie the good opinion which I had at first formed of it.

After each visit which I made to the public-house, I found my frame stronger and my mind more cheerful than they had previously been.

The landlord appeared at all times glad to see me, and insisted that I should sit within the bar, where, leaving his other guests to be attended to by a niece of his who officiated as his housekeeper, he would sit beside me and talk of matters concerning "the ring," indulging himself with a cigar and a glass of sherry, which he told me was his favourite wine, whilst I drank my ale.

"I loves the conversation of all you coves of the ring," said he once, "which is natural, seeing as how I have fought in a ring myself.