206 THE MONOMANIAC. 



necessary, considering the state of the principal spectator. Hubert 

 was undertaken by a gentleman preparing for holy orders ; nor let 

 us blame the action : no common motives, no pleasurable induce- 

 ments urged him to it ; the charitable hope of restoring to a darkened 

 mind the light of reason, was his sole impeller, and, as the character 

 required one, uniting urbanity of manners with a mild deportment, 

 yet impressive in gesture and commanding in tone, a better repre- 

 sentative could not perhaps have been selected. The undertaking 

 may be censured by a rigid few, but the motive will plead its own 

 justification. 



There now remained but one difficulty to surmount ; this was to 

 induce Hill to attend the representation ; I undertook the task. 



My frequent visits to the patient had established, as far as circum- 

 stances permitted, an intimacy betwixt us, and I acquired consider- 

 able influence over him, insomuch that I was often enabled to curb 

 his extravagant behaviour. With a determination to exert this 

 power, I entered his room on the appointed afternoon, and after the 

 usual salutation, told him I had come to beg a favour at his hands. 



" Ask it of heaven, sir," said he, " I am a creature now of so little 

 weight in the scale of creation, that a grain of sand could as easily 

 assist a sub-marine island to emerge from the water as I be of ser- 

 vice to you." 



" A grain of sand, in conjunction with some millions more, might 

 assist in forming an island," I replied; <c therefore nothing in this 

 world can be entirely useless." 



"True; what can I do for you? " cried Hill, promptly. 



" Nay, I must have an assurance first ; your solemn promise to grant 

 my request," I exclaimed. 



" Of one so fallen as I, you will ask nothing impossible. My hand 

 and word to whatever you desire," returned Hill. 



" I am satisfied : a friend of mine takes a benefit this evening, and 

 has requested my interest in procuring a full house; now as I have 

 very few acquaintance here, yet do not wish to disappoint the poor 

 fellow, I have walked hither to request that you will take a ticket 

 and make one of our number." 



"Benefit! Ticket! In the name of heaven, what mean you?" 

 cried Hill, in violent agitation, " where would you have me go ? " 



" To the theatre," replied I, with as much appearance of careless- 

 ness as possible. 



" To the where ? " he shouted. 



" To the theatre" repeated I. 



" To the hell of devils ! " screamed the monomaniac ; " don't you 

 know that I lost my senses there ? " he added, then pressing his 

 elbows to his sides he shook himself violently, and exclaimed, " See 

 what a fury you have thrown me into ! may you run mad every 

 night for this ! Bring me a strait waistcoat, do !" 



" I think one is quite necessary, when you fly out at such trifles," 

 returned I, calmly ; " had you heard me through, the proposition 

 might not have appeared so preposterous to your distempered imagi- 

 nation. However, I shall know how to depend upon you another 

 time." 



