10 Chit-chat. 



Von Os. Curious : a difficult trifle. But, surely, the Welsh 

 knew nothing of the silkworm. 



Dov. That is a very strong inference that the poem is not 

 ancient ; though it might serve for any caterpillar as well as 

 the Phalas v na mori. 



Von Os. It is roundly asserted in Dr. Rees's Cyclopaedia, 

 " and that by those who have examined it attentively, who 

 think they speak within compass when they affirm, that each 

 ball (of the silkworm) contains silk enough to reach six 

 English miles." 



Dov. This good and excellent little girl, who waits upon 

 us so quiet, effectually, and fairy-like, measured, at my desire, 

 two cocoons last August. How much did they measure, my 

 dear cousin Sarah ? 



S. D. Sir, one measured 285, and the other 306 yards ; 

 allowing a little for loss at each end. 



Dov. Very well ; and can you give us any more information ? 



S. D. Only, Sir, that the duck is ready in the dining- 

 room ; and the oysters are come by coach. 



Dov. Best news of all. Come, my dear Von, to a warm 

 dissertation on the ^nas Z?6schas, and a practical discussion 

 of the molluscous bivalves. 



Von Os. Then will we quaff some brimmers (with many a 

 fragrant whiff) over our heartiest good wishes to Loudon and 

 his labours. 



Dov. Not forgetting his labourers : and close this night's 

 Chit-chat with healths to our brother cullers of simples, 

 and our really earnest request that they will 



Von Os. — say that you have plaguily too much ornithology 

 in it. 



Dov. Ornithology ! — why, my dear fellow, 'tis a main 

 point of my religion. * 



Von Os. Your religion ! marry, as how ? 



Dov. Why, a certain great, big, burly, rich personage, 

 who, not a century since, filled the civic chair as chief magi- 

 strate in a neighbouring town, and who gives grand venison 

 feasts, with his " candle- Abraham" 



Von Os. Ha, ha, ha ! — and which you easily and effec- 

 tually persuaded him was not even a " candle Isaac" but 

 merely a " Jacob " — 



Dov. Taught, by the inimitable Sir John Falstaff, how 

 much " a lie, with a slight oath, and a jest, with a serious 

 brow, will do with a fellow that never had the headach in his 

 shoulders — " 



Von Os. Well ? 



Dov. Well : this sapient personage being told that 1 was an 



