WE DISCOVER TRUE HAPPINESS. 323 



bathe. We threw our rags into the Thompson, donned 

 our new attire, and then enjoyed the otium cum digni- 

 tate to our hearts' content, and over grateful pipes 

 inquired the news — not of the day — but of the past 

 year. Great events had occurred during our seckision 

 from the world. We heard for the first time of the mar- 

 riage of the Prince of Wales, the Polish insurrection, 

 the prospect of war between Denmark and Prussia, 

 the progress of the American contest. But although 

 this was delightful enough, it was not the greatest 

 pleasure we enjoyed. The height of happiness — we 

 say it advisedly, yet knowing the contempt which 

 must overwhelm us : it is true, oh, philosopher ; it is 

 true, dear lady, with strong mind and spectacles, 

 wearer of cerulean hose — the height of happiness 

 was eating and drinking ! Deal with us gently, sour 

 ascetics and stern divines abhorring the carnal, and 

 corpulent, virtuous magistrates who sit in judgment 

 on miserable creatures driven into sin by starvation 

 — expertis credite. Have we not thousands on our 

 side in this great city who daily hunger ? — not to 

 mention a few aldermen and a well-fed bishop or two 

 to back us on principle? Talk not to us of intellec- 

 tual raptures ; the mouth and stomach are the doors 

 by which enter true delight. Mutton chops, potatoes, 

 bread, butter, milk, rice pudding, tea, and sugar : 

 contrast dried horse-flesh and water, or martens, or 

 nothing at all, with these luxuries ! The ordinary 

 bountiful meals of the Fort were quite inadequate for 

 our satisfaction, and we managed to interpolate three 

 more by rising early in the morning, before the good 



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