he resumed his walk, and was glad to perceive that the street now became wider, and the houses more respectable in their appearance. he soon discerned a figure moving on moderately in advance, and hastened his steps to overtake it. as robin drew nigh, he saw that the passenger was a man in years, with a full periwig of gray hair, a wide-skirted coat of dark cloth, and silk stockings rolled above his knees. he carried a long and polished cane, which he struck down perpendicularly before him at every step; and at regular intervals he uttered two successive hems, of a peculiarly solemn and sepulchral intonation.