His death was a great shock to me, and for a time interrupted my studies.

His son, however, who succeeded him, was very kind to me, and, in some degree, supplied his father's place; and I gradually returned to my Chinese locks and keys." "And in applying keys to the Chinese locks you employ your time ?" "Yes," said the old man, "in making out the inscriptions on the various pieces of porcelain, which I have at different times procured, I pass my time.

The first inscription which I translated was that on the teapot of my beloved." "And how many other pieces of porcelain may you have at present in your possession ?" "About fifteen hundred." "And how did you obtain them ?" I demanded.
"Without much labour," said the old man, "in the neighbouring towns and villages--chiefly at auctions--of which, about twenty years ago, there were many in these parts." "And may I ask your reasons for confining your studies entirely to the crockery literature of China, when you have all the rest at your disposal ?" "The inscriptions enable me to pass my time," said the old man; "what more would the whole literature of China do ?" "And from those inscriptions," said I, "what a book it is in your power to make, whenever so disposed.

'Translations from the crockery literature of China.' Such a book would be sure to take; even glorious John himself would not disdain to publish it." The old man smiled.

"I have no desire for literary distinction," said he; "no ambition.