CHAPTERXX
FarewelltotheRomans—TheLandlordandHisNiece—SetOutasaTraveller。
ONreachingtheplainabove，IfoundmyRomanyfriendsbreakfasting，andonbeingaskedbyMr。Petulengrotojointhem，Iacceptedtheinvitation。NosoonerwasbreakfastoverthanIinformedUrsulaandherhusbandthattheywouldfindtheproperty，whichIhadpromisedthem，inthedingle，commandingthelittleponyAmbroltotheirbestcare。Itookleaveofthewholecompany，whichwasitselfabouttobreakupcampandtodepartinthedirectionofLondon，andmadethebestofmywaytothepublic—house。Ihadasmallbundleinmyhand，andwasdressedinthesamemanneraswhenI
departedfromLondon，havingleftmywaggoner’sslopwiththeothereffectsinthedingle。Onarrivingatthepublic—
house，IinformedthelandlordthatIwascomeformyhorse，inquiring，atthesametime，whetherhecouldnotaccommodatemewithabridleandsaddle。Hetoldmethatthebridleandsaddle，withwhichIhadriddenthehorseontheprecedingday，wereatmyserviceforatrifle；thathehadreceivedthemsometimesinceinpaymentforadebt，andthathehadhimselfnouseforthem。Theleathersofthebridlewererathershabby，andthebitrusty，andthesaddlewasoldfashioned；butIwashappytopurchasethemforsevenshillings，moreespeciallyasthelandlordaddedasmallvalise，whichhesaidcouldbestrappedtothesaddle，andwhichIshouldfindveryconvenientforcarryingmythingsin。Ithenproceededtothestable，toldthehorsewewereboundonanexpedition，andgivinghimafeedofcorn，lefthimtodiscussit，andreturnedtothebar—roomtohavealittlefarewellchatwiththelandlord，andatthesametimetodrinkwithhimafarewellglassofale。Whilstweweretalkinganddrinking，theniececameandjoinedus：shewasadecent，sensibleyoungwoman，whoappearedtotakeagreatinterestinheruncle，whomsheregardedwithasingularmixtureofprideand，disapprobation—pridefortherenownwhichhehadacquiredbyhisfeatsofold，anddisapprobationforhislateimprudences。ShesaidthatshehopedthathismisfortuneswouldbeawarningtohimtoturnmoretohisGodthanhehadhithertodone，andtogiveupcock—fightingandotherlow—lifepractices。Towhichthelandlordreplied，thatwithrespecttocock—fightingheintendedtogiveitupentirely，beingdeterminednolongertoriskhiscapitaluponbirds，andwithrespecttohisreligiousduties，heshouldattendthechurchofwhichhewaschurchwardenatleastonceaquarter，adding，however，thathedidnotintendtobecomeeithercanterordriveller，neitherofwhichcharacterswouldbefitapublicansurroundedbysuchcustomersashewas，andthattothelastdayofhislifehehopedtobeabletomakeuseofhisfists。AfterastayofabouttwohoursIsettledaccounts，andhavingbridledandsaddledmyhorse，andstrappedonmyvalise，Imounted，shookhandswiththelandlordandhisniece，anddeparted，notwithstandingthattheybothentreatedmetotarryuntiltheevening，itbeingthentheheatoftheday。
CHAPTERXXI
AnAdventureontheRoad—TheSixFlintStone—ARuralScene—Mead—TheOldManandHisBees。
IBENTmycourseinthedirectionofthenorth，moreinducedbychancethananyparticularmotive；allquartersoftheworldhavingaboutequalattractionsforme。Iwasinhighspiritsatfindingmyselfoncemoreonhorse—back，andtrottedgailyon，untiltheheatoftheweatherinducedmetoslackenmypace，moreoutofpityformyhorsethanbecauseI
feltanyparticularinconveniencefromit—heatandcoldbeingthen，andstill，mattersofgreatindifferencetome。
WhatIthoughtofIscarcelyknow，saveandexceptthatI
haveaglimmeringrecollectionthatIfeltsomedesiretomeetwithoneofthoseadventureswhichupontheroadsofEnglandaregenerallyasplentifulasblackberriesinautumn；
andFortune，whohasgenerallybeenreadytogratifymyinclinations，provideditcostherverylittlebysodoing，wasnotslowinfurnishingmewithanadventure，perhapsascharacteristicoftheEnglishroadsasanythingwhichcouldhavehappened。
Imighthavetravelledaboutsixmilesamongstcrossroadsandlanes，whensuddenlyIfoundmyselfuponabroadandverydustyroadwhichseemedtoleadduenorth。AsIwendedalongthisIsawamanuponadonkeyridingtowardsme。Themanwascommonlydressed，withabroadfelthatonhishead，andakindofsatchelonhisback；heseemedtobeinamightyhurry，andwaseverynowandthenbelabouringthedonkeywithacudgel。Thedonkey，however，whichwasafinelargecreatureofthesilver—greyspecies，didnotappeartosympathizeatallwithitsriderinhisdesiretogeton，butkeptitsheadturnedbackasmuchaspossible，movingfromonesideoftheroadtotheother，andnotmakingmuchforwardway。AsIpassed，beingnaturallyofaverypolitedisposition，Igavethemantheseleoftheday，askinghim，atthesametime，whyhebeatthedonkey；whereuponthefelloweyeingmeaskance，toldmetomindmyownbusiness，withtheadditionofsomethingwhichIneednotrepeat。I
hadnotproceededafurlongbeforeIsawseatedonthedustbythewayside，closebyaheapofstones，andwithseveralflintsbeforehim，arespectable—lookingoldman，withastrawhatandawhitesmock，whowasweepingbitterly。
\"Whatareyoucryingfor，father？\"saidI。\"Haveyoucometoanyhurt？\"\"Hurtenough，\"sobbedtheoldman，\"IhavejustbeentrickedoutofthebestassinEnglandbyavillain，whogavemenothingbutthesetrashinreturn，\"pointingtothestonesbeforehim。\"Ireallyscarcelyunderstandyou，\"saidI，\"Iwishyouwouldexplainyourselfmoreclearly。\"\"Iwasridingonmyassfrommarket，\"saidtheoldman，\"whenImethereafellowwithasackonhisback，who，afterstaringattheassandmeamomentortwo，askedmeifIwouldsellher。
ItoldhimthatIcouldnotthinkofsellingher，asshewasveryusefultome，andthoughananimal，mytruecompanion，whomIlovedasmuchasifsheweremywifeanddaughter。I
thenattemptedtopasson，butthefellowstoodbeforeme，beggingmetosellher，sayingthathewouldgivemeanythingforher；well，seeingthathepersisted，IsaidatlastthatifIsoldher，Imusthavesixpoundsforher，andIsaidsotogetridofhim，forIsawthathewasashabbyfellow，whohadprobablynotsixshillingsintheworld；butIhadbetterhaveheldmytongue，\"saidtheoldman，cryingmorebitterlythanbefore，\"forthewordswerescarcelyoutofmymouth，whenhesaidhewouldgivemewhatIasked，andtakingthesackfromhisback，hepulledoutasteelyard，andgoingtotheheapofstonesthere，hetookupseveralofthemandweighedthem，thenflingingthemdownbeforeme，hesaid，’Therearesixpounds，neighbour；now，getofftheass，andhandherovertome。’Well，Isatlikeonedumbfounderedforatime，tillatlastIaskedhimwhathemeant？’WhatdoI
mean？’saidhe，’youoldrascal，why，Imeantoclaimmypurchase，’andthenhesworesoawfully，thatscarcelyknowingwhatIdidIgotdown，andhejumpedontheanimalandrodeoffasfastashecould。\"\"Isupposehewasthefellow，\"saidI，\"whomIjustnowmetuponafinegrayass，whichhewasbeatingwithacudgel。\"\"Idaresayhewas，\"
saidtheoldman，\"Isawhimbeatingherasherodeaway，andIthoughtIshouldhavedied。\"\"Ineverheardsuchastory，\"
saidI；\"well，doyoumeantosubmittosuchapieceofrogueryquietly？\"\"Oh，dear，\"saidtheoldman，\"whatcanI
do？Iamseventy—nineyearsofage；Iambadonmyfeet，anddar’n’tgoafterhim。\"—\"ShallIgo？\"saidI；\"thefellowisathief，andanyonehasarighttostophim。\"\"Oh，ifyoucouldbutbringheragaintome，\"saidtheoldman，\"Iwouldblessyoutillmydyingday；buthaveacare；Idon’tknowbutafterallthelawmaysaythatsheishislawfulpurchase。Iaskedsixpoundsforher，andhegavemesixpounds。\"\"Sixflints，youmean，\"saidI，\"no，no，thelawisnotquitesobadasthateither；Iknowsomethingabouther，andamsurethatshewillneversanctionsuchaquibble。Atallevents，I’llrideafterthefellow。\"Thereuponturningmyhorseround，Iputhimtohisverybesttrot；Irodenearlyamilewithoutobtainingaglimpseofthefellow，andwasbecomingapprehensivethathehadescapedmebyturningdownsomeby—path，twoorthreeofwhichIhadpassed。
Suddenly，however，ontheroadmakingaslightturning，I
perceivedhimrightbeforeme，movingatatolerablyswiftpace，havingbythistimeprobablyovercometheresistanceoftheanimal。Puttingmyhorsetoafullgallop，Ishoutedatthetopofmyvoice，\"Getoffthatdonkey，yourascal，andgiveheruptome，orI’llrideyoudown。\"Thefellowhearingthethunderofthehorse’shoofsbehindhim，drewupononesideoftheroad。\"Whatdoyouwant？\"saidhe，asI
stoppedmycharger，nowalmostcoveredwithsweatandfoamclosebesidehim。\"Doyouwanttorobme？\"\"Torobyou？\"
saidI。\"No！buttotakefromyouthatass，ofwhichyouhavejustrobbeditsowner。\"\"Ihaverobbednoman，\"saidthefellow；\"Ijustnowpurchaseditfairlyofitsmaster，andthelawwillgiveittome；heaskedsixpoundsforit，andIgavehimsixpounds。\"\"Sixstones，youmean，yourascal，\"saidI；\"getdown，ormyhorseshallbeuponyouinamoment；\"thenwithamotionofmyreins，Icausedthehorsetorear，pressinghissideswithmyheelsasifIintendedtomakehimleap。\"Stop，\"saidtheman，\"I’llgetdown，andthentryifIcan’tserveyouout。\"Hethengotdown，andconfrontedmewithhiscudgel；hewasahorrible—lookingfellow，andseemedpreparedforanything。Scarcely，however，hadhedismounted，whenthedonkeyjerkedthebridleoutofhishand，andprobablyinrevengefortheusageshehadreceived，gavehimapairoftremendouskicksonthehipwithherhinderlegs，whichoverturnedhim，andthenscampereddowntheroadthewayshehadcome。\"Prettytreatmentthis，\"
saidthefellow，gettingupwithouthiscudgel，andholdinghishandtohisside，\"IwishImaynotbelamedforlife。\"
\"Andifyoube，\"saidI，\"itwillmerelyserveyouright，yourascal，fortryingtocheatapooroldmanoutofhispropertybyquibblingatwords。\"\"Rascal！\"saidthefellow，\"youlie，Iamnorascal；andasforquibblingwithwords—
supposeIdid！Whatthen？Allthefirstpeopledoesit！
Thenewspapersdoesit！thegentlefolksthatcallsthemselvestheguidesofthepopularminddoesit！I’mnoignoramus。I
readthenewspapers，andknowswhat’swhat。\"\"Youreadthemtosomepurpose，\"saidI。\"Well，ifyouarelamedforlife，andunfittedforanyactiveline—turnnewspapereditor；I
shouldsayyouareperfectlyqualified，andthisday’sadventuremaybethefoundationofyourfortune，\"thereuponI
turnedroundandrodeoff。Thefellowfollowedmewithatorrentofabuse。\"Confoundyou，\"saidhe—yetthatwasnottheexpressioneither—\"Iknowyou；youareoneofthehorse—patrolcomedownintothecountryonleavetoseeyourrelations。Confoundyou，youandthelikeofyouhaveknockedmybusinessontheheadnearLunnon，andIsupposeweshallhaveyoushortlyinthecountry。\"\"Tothenewspaperoffice，\"saidI，\"andfabricatefalsehoodsoutofflintstones；\"thentouchingthehorsewithmyheels，Itrottedoff，andcomingtotheplacewhereIhadseentheoldman，I
foundhimthere，risenfromtheground，andembracinghisass。
ItoldhimthatIwastravellingdowntheroad，andsaid，thatifhiswaylayinthesamedirectionasminehecoulddonobetterthanaccompanymeforsomedistance，lestthefellowwho，foraughtIknew，mightbehoveringnigh，mightcatchhimalone，andagaingethisassfromhim。Afterthankingmeformyoffer，whichhesaidhewouldaccept，hegotuponhisass，andweproceededtogetherdowntheroad。
Mynewacquaintancesaidverylittleofhisownaccord；andwhenIaskedhimaquestion，answeredratherincoherently。I
heardhimeverynowandthensay，\"Villain！\"tohimself，afterwhichhewouldpatthedonkey’sneck，fromwhichcircumstanceIconcludedthathismindwasoccupiedwithhislateadventure。Aftertravellingabouttwomiles，wereachedaplacewhereadrift—wayontherightledfromthegreatroad；heremycompanionstopped，andonmyaskinghimwhetherhewasgoinganyfarther，hetoldmethatthepathtotherightwasthewaytohishome。
Iwasbiddinghimfarewell，whenhehemmedonceortwice，andsaid，thatashedidnotlivefaroff，hehopedthatIwouldgowithhimandtastesomeofhismead。AsIhadnevertastedmead，ofwhichIhadfrequentlyreadinthecompositionsoftheWelshbards，and，moreover，feltratherthirstyfromtheheatoftheday，ItoldhimthatIshouldhavegreatpleasureinattendinghim。Whereupon，turningofftogether，weproceededabouthalfamile，sometimesbetweenstonewalls，andatothertimeshedges，tillwereachedasmallhamlet，throughwhichwepassed，andpresentlycametoaveryprettycottage，delightfullysituatedwithinagarden，surroundedbyahedgeofwoodbines。Openingagateatonecornerofthegardenheledthewaytoalargeshed，whichstoodpartlybehindthecottage，whichhesaidwashisstable；thereuponhedismountedandledhisdonkeyintotheshed，whichwaswithoutstalls，buthadalongrackandmanger。Ononesidehetiedhisdonkey，aftertakingoffhercaparisons，andIfollowedhisexample，tyingmyhorseattheothersidewitharopehalterwhichhegaveme；hethenaskedmetocomeinandtastehismead，butItoldhimthatImustattendtothecomfortofmyhorsefirst，andforthwith，takingawispofstraw，rubbedhimcarefullydown。Thentakingapailfulofclearwaterwhichstoodintheshed，I
allowedthehorsetodrinkabouthalfapint；andthenturningtotheoldman，whoallthetimehadstoodbylookingatmyproceedings，Iaskedhimwhetherhehadanyoats？\"I
haveallkindsofgrain，\"hereplied；and，goingout，hepresentlyreturnedwithtwomeasures，onealargeandtheotherasmallone，bothfilledwithoats，mixedwithafewbeans，andhandingthelargeonetomeforthehorse，heemptiedtheotherbeforethedonkey，who，beforeshebegantodespatchit，turnedhernosetohermaster’sface，andfairlykissedhim。Havinggivenmyhorsehisportion，ItoldtheoldmanthatIwasreadytotastehismeadassoonashepleased，whereuponheusheredmeintohiscottage，where，makingmesitdownbyadealtableinaneatlysandedkitchen，heproducedfromanold—fashionedclosetabottle，holdingaboutaquart，andacoupleofcups，whichmighteachcontainabouthalfapint，thenopeningthebottleandfillingthecupswithabrown—colouredliquor，hehandedonetome，andtakingaseatoppositetome，heliftedtheother，nodded，andsayingtome—\"Healthandwelcome，\"placedittohislipsanddrank。
\"Healthandthanks，\"Ireplied；andbeingverythirsty，emptiedmycupatadraught；Ihadscarcelydoneso，however，whenIhalfrepented。Themeadwasdeliciouslysweetandmellow，butappearedstrongasbrandy；myeyesreeledinmyhead，andmybrainbecameslightlydizzy。\"Meadisastrongdrink，\"saidtheoldman，ashelookedatme，withahalfsmileonhiscountenance。\"Thisisatanyrate，\"saidI，\"sostrong，indeed，thatIwouldnotdrinkanothercupforanyconsideration。\"\"AndIwouldnotaskyou，\"saidtheoldman；
\"for，ifyoudid，youwouldmostprobablybestupidallday，andwakethenextmorningwithaheadache。Meadisagooddrink，butwoundilystrong，especiallytothosewhobenotusedtoit，asIsupposeyouarenot。\"\"Wheredoyougetit？\"saidI。\"Imakeitmyself，\"saidtheoldman，\"fromthehoneywhichmybeesmake。\"\"Haveyoumanybees？\"Iinquired。
\"Agreatmany，\"saidtheoldman。\"Anddoyoukeepthem，\"
saidI，\"forthesakeofmakingmeadwiththeirhoney？\"\"I
keepthem，\"hereplied，\"partlybecauseIamfondofthem，andpartlyforwhattheybringmein；theymakemeagreatdealofhoney，someofwhichIsell，andwithalittleImakesomemeadtowarmmypoorheartwith，oroccasionallytotreatafriendwithlikeyourself。\"\"Anddoyousupportyourselfentirelybymeansofyourbees？\"\"No，\"saidtheoldman；\"Ihavealittlebitofgroundbehindmyhouse，whichismyprincipalmeansofsupport。\"\"Anddoyoulivealone？\"
\"Yes，\"saidhe；\"withtheexceptionofthebeesandthedonkey，Ilivequitealone。\"\"Andhaveyoualwayslivedalone？\"Theoldmanemptiedhiscup，andhisheartbeingwarmedwiththemead，hetoldhishistory，whichwassimplicityitself。Hisfatherwasasmallyeoman，who，athisdeath，hadlefthim，hisonlychild，thecottage，withasmallpieceofgroundbehindit，andonthislittlepropertyhehadlivedeversince。Abouttheageoftwenty—fivehehadmarriedanindustriousyoungwoman，bywhomhehadonedaughter，whodiedbeforereachingyearsofwomanhood。Hiswife，however，hadsurvivedherdaughtermanyyears，andhadbeenagreatcomforttohim，assistinghiminhisruraloccupations；but，aboutfouryearsbeforethepresentperiod，hehadlosther，sincewhichtimehehadlivedalone，makinghimselfascomfortableashecould；cultivatinghisground，withthehelpofaladfromtheneighbouringvillage，attendingtohisbees，andoccasionallyridinghisdonkeytomarket，andhearingthewordofGod，whichhesaidhewassorryhecouldnotread，twiceaweekregularlyattheparishchurch。Suchwastheoldman’stale。
Whenhehadfinishedspeaking，heledmebehindhishouse，andshowedmehislittledomain。Itconsistedofabouttwoacresinadmirablecultivation；asmallportionofitformedakitchengarden，whiletherestwassownwithfourkindsofgrain，wheat，barley，peas，andbeans。Theairwasfullofambrosialsweets，resemblingthoseproceedingfromanorangegrove；aplacewhichthoughIhadneverseenatthattime，I
sincehave。Inthegardenwasthehabitationofthebees，alongbox，supporteduponthreeoakenstumps。Itwasfullofsmallroundglasswindows，andappearedtobedividedintoagreatmanycompartments，muchresemblingdrawersplacedsideways。Hetoldmethat，asonecompartmentwasfilled，thebeesleftitforanother；sothat，wheneverhewantedhoney，hecouldprocuresomewithoutinjurytotheinsects。
ThroughthelittleroundwindowsIcouldseeseveralofthebeesatwork；hundredsweregoinginandoutofthedoors；
hundredswerebuzzingaboutontheflowers，thewoodbines，andbeans。AsIlookedaroundonthewell—cultivatedfield，thegarden，andthebees，IthoughtIhadneverbeforeseensoruralandpeacefulascene。
Whenwereturnedtothecottageweagainsatdown，andI
askedtheoldmanwhetherhewasnotafraidtolivealone。
Hetoldmethathewasnot，forthat，uponthewhole，hisneighbourswereverykindtohim。Imentionedthefellowwhohadswindledhimofhisdonkeyupontheroad。\"Thatwasnoneighbourofmine，\"saidtheoldman，\"and，perhaps，Ishallneverseehimagain，orhislike。\"\"It’sadreadfulthing，\"
saidI，\"tohavenootherresource，wheninjured，thantoshedtearsontheroad。\"\"Itisso，\"saidtheoldman；\"butGodsawthetearsoftheold，andsentahelper。\"\"Whydidyounothelpyourself？\"saidI。\"Insteadofgettingoffyourass，whydidyounotpunchatthefellow，oratanyrateusedreadfullanguage，callhimvillain，andshoutrobbery？\"
\"Punch！\"saidtheoldman，\"shout！what，withthesehands，andthisvoice—Lord，howyourunon！Iamold，youngchap，Iamold！\"\"Well，\"saidI，\"itisashamefulthingtocryevenwhenold。\"\"Youthinksonow，\"saidtheoldman，\"becauseyouareyoungandstrong；perhapswhenyouareasoldasI，youwillnotbeashamedtocry。\"
UponthewholeIwasratherpleasedwiththeoldman，andmuchwithallabouthim。Aseveningdrewnigh，ItoldhimthatImustproceedonmyjourney；whereuponheinvitedmetotarrywithhimduringthenight，tellingmethathehadaniceroomandbedaboveatmyservice。I，however，declined；
andbiddinghimfarewell，mountedmyhorse，anddeparted。
Regainingtheroad，Iproceededoncemoreinthedirectionofthenorth；and，afterafewhours，comingtoacomfortablepublic—house，Istopped，andputupforthenight。
CHAPTERXXII
TheSingularNoise—SleepinginaMeadow—TheBook—CureforWakefulness—LiteraryTeaParty—PoorByron。
IDIDnotawaketillratherlatethenextmorning；andwhenI
did，Ifeltconsiderabledrowsiness，withaslightheadache，whichIwasuncharitableenoughtoattributetothemeadwhichIhaddrunkontheprecedingday。Afterfeedingmyhorse，andbreakfasting，Iproceededonmywanderings。
Nothingoccurredworthyofrelatingtillmid—daywasconsiderablypast，whenIcametoapleasantvalley，betweentwogentlehills。Ihaddismounted，inordertoeasemyhorse，andwasleadinghimalongbythebridle，when，onmyright，behindabankinwhichsomeumbrageousashesweregrowing，heardasingularnoise。Istoppedshortandlistened，andpresentlysaidtomyself，\"Surelythisissnoring，perhapsthatofahedgehog。\"Onfurtherconsideration，however，IwasconvincedthatthenoisewhichIheard，andwhichcertainlyseemedtobesnoring，couldnotpossiblyproceedfromthenostrilsofsosmallananimal，butmustrathercomefromthoseofagiant，soloudandsonorouswasit。Abouttwoorthreeyardsfartherwasagate，partlyopen，towhichIwent，andpeepingintothefield，sawamanlyingonsomerichgrass，undertheshadeofoneoftheashes；hewassnoringawayatagreatrate。Impelledbycuriosity，Ifastenedthebridleofmyhorsetothegate，andwentuptotheman。Hewasagenteelly—dressedindividual；
rathercorpulent，withdarkfeatures，andseeminglyaboutforty—five。Helayonhisback，hishatslightlyoverhisbrow，andathisrighthandlayanopenbook。Sostrenuouslydidhesnorethatthewindfromhisnostrilsagitated，perceptibly，afinecambricfrillwhichheworeathisbosom。
Igazeduponhimforsometime，expectingthathemightawake；buthedidnot，butkeptonsnoring，hisbreastheavingconvulsively。Atlast，thenoisehemadebecamesoterrible，thatIfeltalarmedforhissafety，imaginingthatafitmightseizehim，andhelosehislifewhilefastasleep。Ithereforeexclaimed，\"Sir，sir，awake！yousleepover—much。\"Butmyvoicefailedtorousehim，andhecontinuedsnoringasbefore；whereuponItouchedhimslightlywithmyridingwand，butfailingtowakehim，Itouchedhimagainmorevigorously；whereuponheopenedhiseyes，and，probablyimagininghimselfinadream，closedthemagain。
ButIwasdeterminedtoarousehim，andcriedasloudasI
could，\"Sir，sir，praysleepnomore！\"HeheardwhatIsaid，openedhiseyesagain，staredatmewithalookofsomeconsciousness，and，halfraisinghimselfuponhiselbows，askedmewhatwasthematter。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidI，\"butItookthelibertyofawakingyou，becauseyouappearedtobemuchdisturbedinyoursleep—Iwasfearful，too，thatyoumightcatchafeverfromsleepingunderatree。\"\"Irunnorisk，\"saidtheman，\"Ioftencomeandsleephere；andasforbeingdisturbedinmysleep，Ifeltverycomfortable；I
wishyouhadnotawokeme。\"\"Well，\"saidI，\"Ibegyourpardononcemore。IassureyouthatwhatIdidwaswiththebestintention。\"\"Oh！praymakenofurtherapology，\"saidtheindividual，\"Imakenodoubtthatwhatyoudidwasdonekindly；butthere’sanoldproverb，totheeffect，’thatyoushouldletsleepingdogslie，’\"headdedwithasmile。Then，gettingup，andstretchinghimselfwithayawn，hetookuphisbookandsaid，\"Ihavesleptquitelongenough，andit’squitetimeformetobegoinghome。\"\"Excusemycuriosity，\"
saidI，\"ifIinquirewhatmayinduceyoutocomeandsleepinthismeadow？\"\"Totellyouthetruth，\"answeredhe，\"Iamabadsleeper。\"\"Praypardonme，\"saidI，\"ifItellyouthatIneversawonesleepmoreheartily。\"\"IfIdidso，\"
saidtheindividual，\"Iambeholdentothismeadowandthisbook；butIamtalkingriddles，andwillexplainmyself。I
amtheownerofaveryprettyproperty，ofwhichthisvalleyformspart。Someyearsago，however，upstartedapersonwhosaidthepropertywashis；alawsuitensued，andIwasonthebrinkoflosingmyall，when，mostunexpectedly，thesuitwasdeterminedinmyfavour。Owing，however，totheanxietytowhichmymindhadbeensubjectedforseveralyears，mynerveshadbecometerriblyshaken；andnosoonerwasthetrialterminatedthansleepforsookmypillow。Isometimespassednightswithoutclosinganeye；Itookopiates，buttheyratherincreasedthanalleviatedmymalady。Aboutthreeweeksagoafriendofmineputthisbookintomyhand，andadvisedmetotakeiteverydaytosomepleasantpartofmyestate，andtryandreadapageortwo，assuringme，ifI
did，thatIshouldinfalliblyfallasleep。Itookhisadvice，andselectingthisplace，whichIconsideredthepleasantestpartofmyproperty，Icame，andlyingdown，commencedreadingthebook，andbeforefinishingapagewasinadeadslumber。EverydaysincethenIhaverepeatedtheexperiment，andeverytimewithequalsuccess。Iamasingleman，withoutanychildren；andyesterdayImademywill，inwhich，intheeventofmyfriend’ssurvivingme，Ihavelefthimallmyfortune，ingratitudeforhishavingprocuredformethemostinvaluableofallblessings—sleep。\"