50 THE PHRENOLOGIST. 



His exertions were soon crowned with the success they deserved. 

 He perceived an object on the ground, close to one of the fences : it 

 was the body of a human being, whose garments were thickly be- 

 sprinkled with snow, as if it had lain there some time. 



The stranger was as motionless and insensible, as if the spirit which 

 once animated him had parted from its temporary imprisonment with 

 the last deep groan. And such was Dr. Kopfstirn's first impression; 

 but having ascertained the heart's pulsation, and being a powerful 

 man possessed of the will as well as the means he lifted him up, 

 and conveyed him to his own house. The usual restoratives in such 

 cases were applied, which, in a short time, rewarded his active be- 

 nevolence with the desired conclusion. Slight convulsive motions 

 about the eyelids and lips, proclaimed the return of suspended ani- 

 mation. Presently, a pair of black, but lustreless eyes stared vacantly 

 around. In a few minutes they assumed something of intelligence. 

 By slow degrees entire consciousness was restored ; and the patient, 

 looking steadily at Dr. Kopfstirn, inquired, in a low, feeble tone, 

 where he was ? 



" The guest of Dr. Kopfstirn," replied he to whom the question 

 was addressed. te But you must remain quiet for the present, and 

 all will soon be well. I will leave you in excellent hands." And, 

 turning to his housekeeper, an ancient crone, of exaggerated features 

 and forbidding aspect, desired her to watch by the bed-side of the 

 stranger, and left the room. 



" Th' owld man's gone clane daft," so she grumbled the moment 

 his back was turned, " to pick up a beggar, or, may be, a thief 

 the Lord presarve us ! out o* th' snow, as he says. How long I may 

 keep my head on my owld shouthers, who may tell, if our house is 

 to be turned into a lodging for every strolling pedlar, or worse, that 

 happens to take the snow for his bed an' he has one ?" 



Without being aware of the amiable feelings thus vented in indis- 

 tinct mutterings, the stranger presently fell into a disturbed slumber. 

 Fever was apprehended ; and the event verified the prognostication. 

 - During this interval, we shall have time for a word or two about 

 the owner of Occiput House. 



He was indebted, partly to the bounty of nature, and partly to a 

 good appetite ?nd excellent digestive organs, for an ample rotundity 

 of figure ; which, however, was no incumbrance to his activity. His 

 extension of body, and length of sinewy arms, seemed as if originally 

 intended for a man, at the very least, six feet high ; and his legs, for 

 one, of not more than half that height. His head was certainly be- 

 tween his shoulders; but how it was fixed there might puzzle a con- 

 juror ; for of neck he had none that is, none visible. It was a round, 

 snipe-like head, covered with long, straight, light-coloured hair, 

 surmounting an equally round, but good-humoured face. Its expres- 

 sion was peculiar, being derived from two animated, sparkling, gray, 

 wise-looking, little eyes ; which had acquired an almost perpetually 

 twinkling motion, especially when either angry, or descanting on a 

 favourite topic. 



His usual dress was a brown coat, abundantly capacious it would 

 have enveloped the persons of Daniel Lambert and an alderman 

 joined together. His waistcoat evinced a propensity to dandyism. 



