THE MARTINGAL. 



" Humanum sum, nihil a me alienuin puto." 



I HAVE used the above quotation, being quite aware 

 that my subject will appear at first to be one of very 

 minor importance. So it would had I chosen a perch- 

 bolt as a subject to write about. Now a perch-bolt 

 most persons know is a common-place round piece of 

 iron of some nine or ten inches long, and of about 

 one diameter ; yet upon this simple piece of iron de- 

 pends in a great degree (or rather depended when 

 perches were more in use) the limbs and lives of per- 

 haps some sixteen or eighteen passengers. I mention 

 this to show on what trifles we often rely for our 

 safety or comfort, or perhaps both ; and if I can 

 show that we owe both these to a martingal, it will 

 appear, that, small and slight as it is in bulk and 

 strength, and trifling as it is in value, it is not 

 altogether a subject of such utter insignificance as 

 may be supposed. Should I fail to do this, I shall 

 not only candidly allow, but strenuously maintain, 

 that the fault rests with the stupidity of the writer, 

 and not from the want of utility in his subject. 

 As I never venture to write on any subject from 

 theoretical principles, but draw my premises from 

 practical experience, I am quite willing to admit 

 that where I am wrong I have very little excuse to 

 bring forward, and must take it for granted that 

 with me the bump of intellectuality is very faintly 



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