106 SUBTERRANEAN RECESSES. 



Three individuals were seated in one of the private rooms of tha 

 SuhteiTanean Recesses, conversing ; one had been connected with it 

 twenty-five years, another three, and the other was the youncf man 

 already introduced, one year of the twenty which he must stay hav- 

 ing expired. Within that period, many a time had he execrated xhe 

 fatal day whose sun rose on him a free and haj)py citizen of Hercu- 

 laneum, and set — while he was on his way to enjoy the pleasures of 

 social intercourse with some chosen companions — to rise no more on 

 him, perhaps for ever ! Those lovely female countenances, which 

 the latter end of that day enchanted him, rose before his imagination 

 but to mock him. Time, however, had began its office; the paroxysms 

 of melancholy were not quite so strong as at first, but that was all 

 that could be said of them. In one of his most, cheerful moods, he 

 listened to the conversation of his two elder brethren, and at distant 

 intervals advanced an opinion himself. The conversatation ran thus, 

 Zeno addressing Theseus : 



" What are your views respecting a resort to Single Combat in 

 settling a dispute ?" 



" That it is an act of insanity." 



" Do you charge all who have resorted to it in all ages thus ?" 



" All, without an exception ; and were I to return to society, I 

 would treat an individual who challenged me accordingly- — either 

 giving him no reply, or answering Jiim thus : * I refuse to act as 

 you desire — we do not condescend to give insanity full and detailed 

 reasons.* " 



" How would you treat the imputations of cowardice to which you 

 Would" subject yourself by such refusal ?" 



" With contempt. Contempt can seldom be manifested inno- 

 cently ; but in this rase it might." 



" How would you shew it ?" 



" By noticing such remarks in the same tone of voice, and in the 

 same manner as I should answer any other remark indicating 

 insanity." 



" You would not transgress the rules of politeness ?" 



" I should not scruple to turn my back immediately, after having 

 given as condensed a reply as possible." 



