\"Thelastisthebetterchosenword，minehost，\"answeredTressilian;\"andtouchingyourquestion，theknowledgethatVarneyheldlargegrantsofthedemesnesformerlybelongingtothemonksofAbingdondirectedmetothisneighbourhood;andyournephew\'svisittohisoldcomradeFostergavemethemeansofconvictiononthesubject。\"
\"Andwhatisnowyourpurpose，worthysir？——excusemyfreedominaskingthequestionsobroadly。\"
\"Ipurpose，minehost，\"saidTressilian，\"torenewmyvisittotheplaceofherresidenceto—morrow，andtoseekamoredetailedcommunicationwithherthanIhavehadto—day。Shemustindeedbewidelychangedfromwhatsheoncewas，ifmywordsmakenoimpressionuponher。\"
\"Underyourfavour，MasterTressilian，\"saidthelandlord，\"youcanfollownosuchcourse。Thelady，ifIunderstandyou，hasalreadyrejectedyourinterferenceinthematter。\"
\"Itisbuttootrue，\"saidTressilian;\"Icannotdenyit。\"
\"Then，marry，bywhatrightorinterestdoyouprocessacompulsoryinterferencewithherinclination，disgracefulasitmaybetoherselfandtoherparents？Unlessmyjudgmentgullsme，thoseunderwhoseprotectionshehasthrownherselfwouldhavesmallhesitationtorejectyourinterference，evenifitwerethatofafatherorbrother;butasadiscardedlover，youexposeyourselftoberepelledwiththestronghand，aswellaswithscorn。Youcanapplytonomagistrateforaidorcountenance;andyouarehunting，therefore，ashadowinwater，andwillonly（excusemyplainness）comebyduckinganddangerinattemptingtocatchit。\"
\"IwillappealtotheEarlofLeicester，\"saidTressilian，\"againsttheinfamyofhisfavourite。HecourtsthesevereandstrictsectofPuritans。Hedarenot，forthesakeofhisowncharacter，refusemyappeal，evenalthoughheweredestituteoftheprinciplesofhonourandnoblenesswithwhichfameinvestshim。OrIwillappealtotheQueenherself。\"
\"ShouldLeicester，\"saidthelandlord，\"bedisposedtoprotecthisdependant（asindeedheissaidtobeveryconfidentialwithVarney），theappealtotheQueenmaybringthembothtoreason。
HerMajestyisstrictinsuchmatters，and（ifitbenottreasontospeakit）willrather，itissaid，pardonadozencourtiersforfallinginlovewithherself，thanoneforgivingpreferencetoanotherwoman。Coragiothen，mybraveguest！forifthoulayestapetitionfromSirHughatthefootofthethrone，buckleredbythestoryofthineownwrongs，thefavouriteEarldaredassoonleapintotheThamesatthefullestanddeepest，asoffertoprotectVarneyinacauseofthisnature。Buttodothiswithanychanceofsuccess，youmustgoformallytowork;
and，withoutstayingheretotiltwiththemasterofhorsetoaprivycouncillor，andexposeyourselftothedaggerofhiscameradoes，youshouldhieyoutoDevonshire，getapetitiondrawnupforSirHughRobsart，andmakeasmanyfriendsasyoucantoforwardyourinterestatcourt。\"
\"Youhavespokenwell，minehost，\"saidTressilian，\"andIwillprofitbyyouradvice，andleaveyouto—morrowearly。\"
\"Nay，leavemeto—night，sir，beforeto—morrowcomes，\"saidhelandlord。\"Ineverprayedforaguest\'sarrivalmoreeagerlythanIdotohaveyousafelygone，Mykinsman\'sdestinyismostliketobehangedforsomething，butIwouldnotthatthecausewerethemurderofanhonouredguestofmine。\'Betterridesafeinthedark，\'saystheproverb，\'thanindaylightwithacut—
throatatyourelbow。\'Come，sir，Imoveyouforyourownsafety。
Yourhorseandallisready，andhereisyourscore。\"
\"Itissomewhatunderanoble，\"saidTressilian，givingonetothehost;\"givethebalancetoprettyCicely，yourdaughter，andtheservantsofthehouse。\"
\"Theyshalltasteofyourbounty，sir，\"saidGosling，\"andyoushouldtasteofmydaughter\'slipsingratefulacknowledgment，butatthishourshecannotgracetheporchtogreetyourdeparture。\"
\"Donottrustyourdaughtertoofarwithyourguests，mygoodlandlord，\"saidTressilian。
\"Oh，sir，wewillkeepmeasure;butIwondernotthatyouarejealousofthemall。——MayIcravetoknowwithwhataspectthefairladyatthePlaceyesterdayreceivedyou？\"
\"Iown，\"saidTressilian，\"itwasangryaswellasconfused，andaffordsmelittlehopethatsheisyetawakenedfromherunhappydelusion。\"
\"Inthatcase，sir，Iseenotwhyyoushouldplaythechampionofawenchthatwillnoneofyou，andincurtheresentmentofafavourite\'sfavourite，asdangerousamonsteraseveraknightadventurerencounteredintheoldstorybooks。\"
\"Youdomewronginthesupposition，minehost——grosswrong，\"
saidTressilian;\"IdonotdesirethatAmyshouldeverturnthoughtuponmemore。Letmebutseeherrestoredtoherfather，andallIhavetodoinEurope——perhapsintheworld——isoverandended。\"
\"Awiserresolutionweretodrinkacupofsack，andforgether，\"
saidthelandlord。\"Butfive—and—twentyandfiftylookonthosematterswithdifferenteyes，especiallywhenonecastofpeepersissetintheskullofayounggallant，andtheotherinthatofanoldpublican。Ipityyou，MasterTressilian，butIseenothowIcanaidyouinthematter。\"
\"Onlythusfar，minehost，\"repliedTressilian——\"keepawatchonthemotionsofthoseatthePlace，whichthoucansteasilylearnwithoutsuspicion，asallmen\'snewsflytotheale—bench;andbepleasedtocommunicatethetidingsinwritingtosuchperson，andtonoother，whoshallbringyouthisringasaspecialtoken。
Lookatit;itisofvalue，andIwillfreelybestowitonyou。\"
\"Nay，sir，\"saidthelandlord，\"Idesirenorecompense——butitseemsanunadvisedcourseinme，beinginapublicline，toconnectmyselfinamatterofthisdarkandperilousnature。I
havenointerestinit。\"
\"You，andeveryfatherintheland，whowouldhavehisdaughterreleasedfromthesnaresofshame，andsin，andmisery，haveaninterestdeeperthanaughtconcerningearthonlycouldcreate。\"
\"Well，sir，\"saidthehost，\"thesearebravewords;andIdopityfrommysoulthefrank—heartedoldgentleman，whohasminishedhisestateingoodhousekeepingforthehonourofhiscountry，andnowhashisdaughter，whoshouldbethestayofhisage，andsoforth，whiskedupbysuchakiteasthisVarney。Andthoughyourpartinthematterissomewhatofthewildest，yetIwille\'enbeamadcapforcompany，andhelpyouinyourhonestattempttogetbackthegoodman\'schild，sofarasbeingyourfaithfulintelligencercanserve。AndasIshallbetruetoyou，Iprayyoutobetrustytome，andkeepmysecret;foritwerebadforthecustomoftheBlackBearshoulditbesaidthebear—warderinterferedinsuchmatters。Varneyhasinterestenoughwiththejusticestodismountmynobleemblemfromthepostonwhichheswingssogallantly，tocallinmylicense，andruinmefromgarrettocellar。\"
\"Donotdoubtmysecrecy，minehost，\"saidTressilian;\"Iwillretain，besides，thedeepestsenseofthyservice，andoftheriskthoudostrun——remembertheringismysuretoken。Andnow，farewell！foritwasthywiseadvicethatIshouldtarryhereasshortatimeasmaybe。\"
\"Followme，then，SirGuest，\"saidthelandlord，\"andtreadasgentlyasifeggswereunderyourfoot，insteadofdealboards。
Nomanmustknowwhenorhowyoudeparted。\"
BytheaidofhisdarklanternheconductedTressilian，assoonashehadmadehimselfreadyforhisjourney，throughalongintricacyofpassages，whichopenedtoanoutercourt，andfromthencetoaremotestable，wherehehadalreadyplacedhisguest\'shorse。Hethenaidedhimtofastenonthesaddlethesmallportmantlewhichcontainedhisnecessaries，openedaposterndoor，andwithaheartyshakeofthehand，andareiterationofhispromisetoattendtowhatwentonatCumnorPlace，hedismissedhisguesttohissolitaryjourney。
CHAPTERIX。
Farinthelanealonelyhuthefound，Notenantventuredontheunwholesomeground:
Heresmokeshisforge，hebareshissinewyarm，Andearlystrokesthesoundinganvilwarm;
Aroundhisshopthesteelysparklesflew，Asforthesteedheshapedthebendingshoe。GAY\'STRIVIA。
Asitwasdeemedproperbythetravellerhimself，aswellasbyGilesGosling，thatTressilianshouldavoidbeingseenintheneighbourhoodofCumnorbythosewhomaccidentmightmakeearlyrisers，thelandlordhadgivenhimaroute，consistingofvariousbywaysandlanes，whichhewastofollowinsuccession，andwhich，alltheturnsandshort—cutsdulyobserved，wastoconducthimtothepublicroadtoMarlborough。
But，likecounselofeveryotherkind，thisspeciesofdirectionismuchmoreeasilygiventhanfollowed;andwhatbetwixttheintricacyoftheway，thedarknessofthenight，Tressilian\'signoranceofthecountry，andthesadandperplexingthoughtswithwhichhehadtocontend，hisjourneyproceededsoslowly，thatmorningfoundhimonlyinthevaleofWhitehorse，memorableforthedefeatoftheDanesinformerdays，withhishorsedeprivedofafore—footshoe，anaccidentwhichthreatenedtoputastoptohisjourneybylamingtheanimal。Theresidenceofasmithwashisfirstobjectofinquiry，inwhichhereceivedlittlesatisfactionfromthedullnessorsullennessofoneortwopeasants，earlyboundfortheirlabour，whogavebriefandindifferentanswerstohisquestionsonthesubject。Anxious，atlength，thatthepartnerofhisjourneyshouldsufferaslittleaspossiblefromtheunfortunateaccident，Tressiliandismounted，andledhishorseinthedirectionofalittlehamlet，wherehehopedeithertofindorheartidingsofsuchanartificerashenowwanted。Throughadeepandmuddylane，heatlengthwadedontotheplace，whichprovedonlyanassemblageoffiveorsixmiserablehuts，aboutthedoorsofwhichoneortwopersons，whoseappearanceseemedasrudeasthatoftheirdwellings，werebeginningthetoilsoftheday。Onecottage，however，seemedofrathersuperioraspect，andtheolddame，whowassweepingherthreshold，appearedsomethinglessrudethanherneighbours。ToherTressilianaddressedtheoft—repeatedquestion，whethertherewasasmithinthisneighbourhood，oranyplacewherehecouldrefreshhishorse？Thedamelookedhiminthefacewithapeculiarexpressionasshereplied，\"Smith！ay，trulyisthereasmith——whatwouldstha\'wi\'un，mon？\"
\"Toshoemyhorse，gooddame，\"answeredTressiliany:youmayseethathehasthrownafore—footshoe。\"
\"MasterHoliday！\"exclaimedthedame，withoutreturninganydirectanswer——\"MasterHerasmusHoliday，comeandspeaktomon，andpleaseyou。\"
\"FAVETELINGUIS，\"answeredavoicefromwithin;\"Icannotnowcomeforth，GammerSludge，beingintheverysweetestbitofmymorningstudies。\"
\"Nay，but，goodnow，MasterHoliday，comeyeout，doye。Here\'samonwouldtoWaylandSmith，andIcarenottoshowhimwaytodevil;hishorsehathcastshoe。\"
\"QUIDMIHICUMCABALLO？\"repliedthemanoflearningfromwithin;\"Ithinkthereisbutonewisemaninthehundred，andtheycannotshoeahorsewithouthim！\"
Andforthcamethehonestpedagogue，forsuchhisdressbespokehim。Along，lean，shambling，stoopingfigurewassurmountedbyaheadthatchedwithlank，blackhairsomewhatincliningtogrey。
Hisfeatureshadthecastofhabitualauthority，whichIsupposeDionysiuscarriedwithhimfromthethronetotheschoolmaster\'spulpit，andbequeathedasalegacytoallofthesameprofession，Ablackbuckramcassockwasgatheredathismiddlewithabelt，atwhichhung，insteadofknifeorweapon，agoodlyleathernpen—
and—inkcase。Hisferulawasstuckontheotherside，likeHarlequin\'swoodensword;andhecarriedinhishandthetatteredvolumewhichhehadbeenbusilyperusing。
OnseeingapersonofTressilian\'sappearance，whichhewasbetterabletoestimatethanthecountryfolkshadbeen，theschoolmasterunbonneted，andaccostedhimwith，\"SALVE，DOMINE。
INTELLIGISNELINGUAMLATINAM？\"
Tressilianmusteredhislearningtoreply，\"LINGUAELATINAEHAUD
PENITUSIGNARUS，VENIATUA，DOMINEERUDITISSIME，VERNACULAM
LIBENTIUSLOQUOR。\"
TheLatinreplyhadupontheschoolmastertheeffectwhichthemason\'ssignissaidtoproduceonthebrethrenofthetrowel。
Hewasatonceinterestedinthelearnedtraveller，listenedwithgravitytohisstoryofatiredhorseandalostshoe，andthenrepliedwithsolemnity，\"Itmayappearasimplething，mostworshipful，toreplytoyouthattheredwells，withinabriefmileoftheseTUGURIA，thebestFABERFERARIUS，themostaccomplishedblacksmith，thatevernailedironuponhorse。Now，wereItosayso，IwarrantmeyouwouldthinkyourselfCOMPOS
VOTI，or，asthevulgarhaveit，amademan。\"
\"Ishouldatleast，\"saidTressilian，\"haveadirectanswertoaplainquestion，whichseemsdifficulttobeobtainedinthiscountry。\"
\"Itisameresendingofasinfulsoultotheevilun，\"saidtheoldwoman，\"thesendingalivingcreaturetoWaylandSmith。\"
\"Peace，GammerSludge！\"saidthepedagogue;\"PAUCAVERBA，GammerSludge;looktothefurmity，GammerSludge;CURETURJENTACULUM，GammerSludge;thisgentlemanisnoneofthygossips。\"ThenturningtoTressilian，heresumedhisloftytone，\"Andso，mostworshipful，youwouldreallythinkyourselfFELIXBISTERQUE
shouldIpointouttoyouthedwellingofthissamesmith？\"
\"Sir，\"repliedTressilian，\"IshouldinthatcasehaveallthatI
wantatpresent——ahorsefittocarrymeforward;——outofhearingofyourlearning。\"Thelastwordshemutteredtohimself。
\"OCAECAMENSMORTALIUM！\"saidthelearnedman\"wellwasitsungbyJuniusJuvenalis，\'NUMINIBUSVOTAEXAUDITAMALIGNIS！\'\"
\"LearnedMagister，\"saidTressilian，\"youreruditionsogreatlyexceedsmypoorintellectualcapacitythatyoumustexcusemyseekingelsewhereforinformationwhichIcanbetterunderstand。\"
\"Thereagainnow，\"repliedthepedagogue，\"howfondlyyouflyfromhimthatwouldinstructyou！TrulysaidQuintilian——\"
\"Ipray，sir，letQuintilianbeforthepresent，andanswer，inawordandinEnglish，ifyourlearningcancondescendsofar，whetherthereisanyplaceherewhereIcanhaveopportunitytorefreshmyhorseuntilIcanhavehimshod？\"
\"Thusmuchcourtesy，sir，\"saidtheschoolmaster，\"Icanreadilyrenderyou，thatalthoughthereisinthispoorhamlet（NOSTRA
PAUPERAREGNA）noregularHOSPITIUM，asmynamesakeErasmuscallethit，yet，forasmuchasyouaresomewhatembued，oratleasttinged，asitwere，withgoodletters，Iwillusemyinterestwiththegoodwomanofthehousetoaccommodateyouwithaplatteroffurmity——anwholesomefoodforwhichIhavefoundnoLatinphrase——yourhorseshallhaveashareofthecow—house，withabottleofsweethay，inwhichthegoodwomanSludgesomuchabounds，thatitmaybesaidofhercow，FAENUMHABETIN
CORNU;andifitpleaseyoutobestowonmethepleasureofyourcompany，thebanquetshallcostyouNESEMISSEMQUIDEM，somuchisGammerSludgeboundtomeforthepainsIhavebestowedonthetopandbottomofherhopefulheirDickie，whomIhavepainfullymadetotravelthroughtheaccidence。\"
\"Now，Godyieldyeforit，MasterHerasmus，\"saidthegoodGammer，\"andgrantthatlittleDickiemaybethebetterforhisaccident！Andfortherest，ifthegentlemanlisttostay，breakfastshallbeontheboardinthewringingofadishclout;
andforhorse—meat，andman\'smeat，Ibearnosuchbasemindastoaskapenny。\"
Consideringthestateofhishorse，Tressilian，uponthewhole，sawnobettercoursethantoaccepttheinvitationthuslearnedlymadeandhospitablyconfirmed，andtakechancethatwhenthegoodpedagoguehadexhaustedeverytopicofconversation，hemightpossiblycondescendtotellhimwherehecouldfindthesmiththeyspokeof。Heenteredthehutaccordingly，andsatdownwiththelearnedMagisterErasmusHoliday，partookofhisfurmity，andlistenedtohislearnedaccountofhimselfforagoodhalfhour，erehecouldgethimtotalkuponanyothertopic，ThereaderwillreadilyexcuseouraccompanyingthismanoflearningintoallthedetailswithwhichhefavouredTressilian，ofwhichthefollowingsketchmaysuffice。
HewasbornatHogsnorton，where，accordingtopopularsaying，thepigsplayupontheorgan;aproverbwhichheinterpretedallegorically，ashavingreferencetotheherdofEpicurus，ofwhichlitterHoraceconfessedhimselfaporker。HisnameofErasmushederivedpartlyfromhisfatherhavingbeenthesonofarenownedwasherwoman，whohadheldthatgreatscholarincleanlinenallthewhilehewasatOxford;ataskofsomedifficulty，ashewasonlypossessedoftwoshirts，\"theone，\"assheexpressedherself，\"towashtheother，\"ThevestigesofoneoftheseCAMICIAE，asMasterHolidayboasted，werestillinhispossession，havingfortunatelybeendetainedbyhisgrandmothertocoverthebalanceofherbill。ButhethoughttherewasastillhigherandoverrulingcauseforhishavinghadthenameofErasmusconferredonhim——namely，thesecretpresentimentofhismother\'smindthat，inthebabetobechristened，wasahiddengenius，whichshouldonedayleadhimtorivalthefameofthegreatscholarofAmsterdam。Theschoolmaster\'ssurnameledhimasfarintodissertationashisChristianappellative。HewasinclinedtothinkthatheborethenameofHolidayQUASILUCUSA
NONLUCENDO，becausehegavesuchfewholidaystohisschool。
\"Hence，\"saidhe，\"theschoolmasteristermed，classically，LUDI
MAGISTER，becausehedeprivesboysoftheirplay。\"Andyet，ontheotherhand，hethoughtitmightbearaverydifferentinterpretation，andrefertohisownexquisiteartinarrangingpageants，morris—dances，May—dayfestivities，andsuch—likeholidaydelights，forwhichheassuredTressilianhehadpositivelythepurestandthemostinventivebraininEngland;
insomuch，thathiscunninginframingsuchpleasureshadmadehimknowntomanyhonourablepersons，bothincountryandcourt，andespeciallytothenobleEarlofLeicester。\"Andalthoughhemaynowseemtoforgetme，\"hesaid，\"inthemultitudeofstateaffairs，yetIamwellassuredthat，hadhesomeprettypastimetoarrayforentertainmentoftheQueen\'sGrace，horseandmanwouldbeseekingthehumblecottageofErasmusHoliday。PARVO
CONTENTUS，inthemeanwhile，Ihearmypupilsparseandconstrue，worshipfulsir，anddriveawaymytimewiththeaidoftheMuses。
AndIhaveatalltimes，whenincorrespondencewithforeignscholars，subscribedmyselfErasmusabDieFausto，andhaveenjoyedthedistinctionduetothelearnedunderthattitle:
witnesstheeruditeDiedrichusBuckerschockius，whodedicatedtomeunderthattitlehistreatiseontheletterTAU。Infine，sir，Ihavebeenahappyanddistinguishedman。\"
\"Longmayitbeso，sir！\"saidthetraveller;\"butpermitmetoask，inyourownlearnedphrase，QUIDHOCADIPHYCLIBOVES？whathasallthistodowiththeshoeingofmypoornag？\"
\"FESTINALENTE，\"saidthemanoflearning，\"wewillpresentlycametothatpoint。YoumustknowthatsometwoorthreeyearspasttherecametothesepartsonewhocalledhimselfDoctorDoboobie，althoughitmaybeheneverwroteevenMAGISTERARTIUM，saveinrightofhishungrybelly。Oritmaybe，thatifhehadanydegrees，theywereofthedevil\'sgiving;forhewaswhatthevulgarcallawhitewitch，acunningman，andsuchlike。——Now，goodsir，Iperceiveyouareimpatient;butifamantellnothistalehisownway，howhaveyouwarranttothinkthathecantellitinyours？\"
\"Well，then，learnedsir，takeyourway，\"answeredTressilian;
\"onlyletustravelatasharperpace，formytimeissomewhatoftheshortest。\"
\"Well，sir，\"resumedErasmusHoliday，withthemostprovokingperseverance，\"IwillnotsaythatthissameDemetriusforsohewrotehimselfwheninforeignparts，wasanactualconjurer，butcertainitisthatheprofessedtobeabrotherofthemysticalOrderoftheRosyCross，adiscipleofGeber（EXNOMINECUJUS
VENITVERBUMVERNACULUM，GIBBERISH）。Hecuredwoundsbysalvingtheweaponinsteadofthesore;toldfortunesbypalmistry;
discoveredstolengoodsbythesieveandshears;gatheredtherightmaddowandthemalefernseed，throughuseofwhichmenwalkinvisible;pretendedsomeadvancestowardsthepanacea，oruniversalelixir;andaffectedtoconvertgoodleadintosorrysilver。\"
\"Inotherwords，\"saidTressilian，\"hewasaquacksalverandcommoncheat;butwhathasallthistodowithmynag，andtheshoewhichhehaslost？\"
\"Withyourworshipfulpatience，\"repliedthediffusivemanofletters，\"youshallunderstandthatpresently——PATENTIAthen，rightworshipful，whichword，accordingtoourMarcusTullius，is\'DIFFICILIUMRERUMDIURNAPERPESSIO。\'ThissameDemetriusDoboobie，afterdealingwiththecountry，asIhavetoldyou，begantoacquirefameINTERMAGNATES，amongtheprimemenoftheland，andthereislikelihoodhemighthaveaspiredtogreatmatters，hadnot，accordingtovulgarfame（forIavernotthethingasaccordingwithmycertainknowledge），thedevilclaimedhisright，onedarknight，andflownoffwithDemetrius，whowasneverseenorheardofafterwards。NowherecomestheMEDULLA，theverymarrow，ofmytale。ThisDoctorDoboobiehadaservant，apoorsnake，whomheemployedintrimminghisfurnace，regulatingitbyjustmeasure——compoundinghisdrugs——tracinghiscircles——cajolinghispatients，ETSICETCAETERIS。Well，rightworshipful，theDoctorbeingremovedthusstrangely，andinawaywhichstruckthewholecountrywithterror，thispoorZanythinkstohimself，inthewordsofMaro，\'UNOAVULSO，NONDEFICIT
ALTER;\'and，evenasatradesman\'sapprenticesetshimselfupinhismaster\'sshopwhenheisdeadorhathretiredfrombusiness，sodoththisWaylandassumethedangeroustradeofhisdefunctmaster。Butalthough，mostworshipfulsir，theworldiseverpronetolistentothepretensionsofsuchunworthymen，whoare，indeed，mereSALTIMBANQUIandCHARLATANI，thoughusurpingthestyleandskillofdoctorsofmedicine，yetthepretensionsofthispoorZany，thisWayland，weretoogrosstopassonthem，norwasthereamererustic，avillager，whowasnotreadytoaccosthiminthesenseofPersius，thoughintheirownruggedwords，——
DILIUSHELLEBORUMCERTOCOMPESCEREPUNCTO
NESCIUSEXAMEN？VETATHOCNATURAVEDENDI;\'
whichIhavethusrenderedinapoorparaphraseofmineown，——
Wiltthoumixhellebore，whodostnotknowHowmanygrainsshouldtothemixturego？
Theartofmedicinethisforbids，Itrow。
Moreover，theevilreputationofthemaster，andhisstrangeanddoubtfulend，oratleastsuddendisappearance，preventedany，exceptingthemostdesperateofmen，toseekanyadviceoropinionfromtheservant;wherefore，thepoorverminwaslikelyatfirsttoswarfforveryhunger。Butthedevilthatserveshim，sincethedeathofDemetriusorDoboobie，puthimonafreshdevice。Thisknave，whetherfromtheinspirationofthedevil，orfromearlyeducation，shoeshorsesbetterthane\'eramanbetwixtusandIceland;andsohegivesuphispracticeonthebipeds，thetwo—leggedandunfledgedspeciescalledmankind，andbetakeshimentirelytoshoeingofhorses。\"
\"Indeed！andwheredoeshelodgeallthistime？\"saidTressilian。\"Anddoesheshoehorseswell？Showmehisdwellingpresently。\"
TheinterruptionpleasednottheMagister，whoexclaimed，\"O
CAECAMENSMORTALIUM！——though，bytheway，Iusedthatquotationbefore。ButIwouldtheclassicscouldaffordmeanysentimentofpowertostopthosewhoaresowillingtorushupontheirowndestruction。Hearbut，Iprayyou，theconditionsofthisman，\"
saidhe，incontinuation，\"ereyouaresowillingtoplaceyourselfwithinhisdanger——\"
\"A\'takesnomoneyfora\'swork，\"saidthedame，whostoodby，enrapturedasitwerewiththelinewordsandlearnedapophthegmswhichglidedsofluentlyfromhereruditeinmate，MasterHoliday。
ButthisinterruptionpleasednottheMagistermorethanthatofthetraveller。
\"Peace，\"saidhe，\"GammerSludge;knowyourplace，ifitbeyourwill。SUFFLAMINA，GammerSludge，andallowmetoexpoundthismattertoourworshipfulguest。——Sir，\"saidhe，againaddressingTressilian，\"thisoldwomanspeakstrue，thoughinherownrudestyle;forcertainlythisFABERFERRARIUS，orblacksmith，takesmoneyofnoone。\"
\"AndthatisasuresignhedealswithSatan，\"saidDameSludge;
\"sincenogoodChristianwouldeverrefusethewagesofhislabour。\"
\"Theoldwomanhathtoucheditagain，\"saidthepedagogue;\"REM
ACUTETIGIT——shehathprickeditwithherneedle\'spoint。ThisWaylandtakesnomoney，indeed;nordothheshowhimselftoanyone。\"
\"Andcanthismadman，forsuchIholdhim，\"saidthetraveller，\"knowaughtlikegoodskillofhistrade？\"
\"Oh，sir，inthatletusgivethedevilhisdue——Mulciberhimself，withallhisCyclops，couldhardlyamendhim。Butassuredlythereislittlewisdomintakingcounselorreceivingaidfromonewhoisbuttooplainlyinleaguewiththeauthorofevil。\"
\"Imusttakemychanceofthat，goodMasterHoliday，\"saidTressilian，rising;\"andasmyhorsemustnowhaveeatenhisprovender，Imustneedsthankyouforyourgoodcheer，andprayyoutoshowmethisman\'sresidence，thatImayhavethemeansofproceedingonmyjourney。\"
\"Ay，ay，doyeshowhim，MasterHerasmus，\"saidtheolddame，whowas，perhaps，desiroustogetherhousefreedofherguest;\"a\'
mustneedsgowhenthedevildrives。\"
\"DOMANUS，\"saidtheMagister，\"Isubmit——takingtheworldtowitness，thatIhavepossessedthishonourablegentlemanwiththefullinjusticewhichhehasdoneandshalldotohisownsoul，ifhebecomesthusatrinketerwithSatan。NeitherwillIgoforthwithourguestmyself，butrathersendmypupil。——RICARDE！
ADSIS，NEBULO。\"
\"Underyourfavour，notso，\"answeredtheoldwoman;\"youmayperilyourownsoul，ifyoulist，butmysonshallbudgeonnosucherrand。AndIwonderatyou，DominieDoctor，toproposesuchapieceofserviceforlittleDickie。\"
\"Nay，mygoodGammerSludge，\"answeredthepreceptor，\"Ricardusshallgobuttothetopofthehill，andindicatewithhisdigittothestrangerthedwellingofWaylandSmith。Believenotthatanyevilcancometohim，hehavingreadthismorning，fasting，achapteroftheSeptuagint，and，moreover，havinghadhislessonintheGreekTestament。\"
\"Ay，\"saidhismother，\"andIhavesewnasprigofwitch\'selmintheneckofun\'sdoublet，eversincethatfoulthiefhasbegunhispracticesonmanandbeastintheseparts。\"
\"Andashegoesoft（asIhugelysuspect）towardsthisconjurerforhisownpastime，hemayforoncegothither，ornearit，topleasureus，andtoassistthisstranger。——ERGO，HEUSRICARDE！
ADSIS，QUAESO，MIDIDASCULE。\"
Thepupil，thusaffectionatelyinvoked，atlengthcamestumblingintotheroom;aqueer，shambling，ill—madeurchin，who，byhisstuntedgrowth，seemedabouttwelveorthirteenyearsold，thoughhewasprobably，inreality，ayearortwoolder，withacarrotypateinhugedisorder，afreckled，sunburntvisage，withasnubnose，alongchin，andtwopeerygreyeyes，whichhadadrollobliquityofvision，approachingtoasquint，thoughperhapsnotadecidedone。Itwasimpossibletolookatthelittlemanwithoutsomedispositiontolaugh，especiallywhenGammerSludge，seizinguponandkissinghim，inspiteofhisstrugglingandkickinginreplytohercaresses，termedhimherownpreciouspearlofbeauty。