THE FLORAE TELEGRAPH. 187 
wish to disprove my interview with, 
and revelation from, Floribel, by 
proving my insensibility and subse¬ 
quent illness. But, let me ask them, 
and I ask them triumphantly, what 
has become of my tortoiseshell snuff¬ 
box ? Can they produce that ? No. 
Where are my green spectacles ? Can 
they produce those ? No. Where, 
then, are their proofs ? Can they pro¬ 
duce them ? Certainly not. Have I 
not left off snuff, in accordance with 
my promise to Floribel ? Do I now 
outshine Dr. Darwin in epic poetry, 
or beat Dr. Southey in hexameters ? 
Certainly not. “ Here be proofs,” 
as honest Dogberry says. Did I not 
