1 14 Fly-Fiflring* 



coat, I fuflained no damage, not even a bruife. 

 Very different, however, was it with my unfor- 

 tunate partner in misfortune. Shaken by the fall, 

 and covered with mud, to look round and fee me 

 abfolutely fplitting my fides with laughter ; Oh ! 

 if the crowd had not gathered round, and the 

 cry of Proctor been raifed, he would, I fear, have 

 rufhed at me to inflict the fummary chaftifement 

 of pounding me to powder with his enormous 

 fifts. As it was, he contented himfelf with fhout- 

 ing after me, at the top of his voice, as I ran down 

 the ftreet to my rooms, " You abominable block- 

 head, you are always laughing ! " 



"Always laughing ! " And why not, Pifcator, 

 feize each funny interval that offers, to throw off 

 the burthens that will occafionally bear upon all 

 our moulders, do what we will to prevent it ? Be- 

 fides, an aptitude to fee things in fo ftrange a light 

 as to divert the thoughts for a time into a totally 

 different train (all the better for being a mirthful 

 one) is, I am convinced, as bracing to the mind, 

 as change of air is to the health. 



Pifcator. I quite agree with you, and to prove 

 my fmcerity, fuppofe I pitch you out the firft fa- 

 vourable opportunity that offers, in order to laugh 

 at you ! 



