As he resided in a remote part of the
country, and we were five gentlemen with as many servants, we
carried some provision with us from the next market town, lest we
should find him unprepared for our reception. The roads being
bad, we did not arrive at the house till two o'clock in the
afternoon; and were agreeably surprised to find a very good
dinner ready in the kitchen, and the cloth laid with six covers.
My friend himself appeared in his best apparel at the gate, and
received us with open arms, telling me he had been expecting us
these two hours. Astonished at this declaration, I asked who had
given him intelligence of our coming? and he smiled without
making any other reply. However, presuming upon our former
intimacy, I afterwards insisted upon knowing; and he told me,
very gravely, he had seen me in a vision of the second sight --
Nay, he called in the evidence of his steward, who solemnly
declared, that his master had the day before apprised him of my
coming, with four other strangers, and ordered him to provide
accordingly; in consequence of which intimation, he had prepared
the dinner which we were now eating; and laid the covers
according to the number foretold.
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