Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Given By The Dumb Philosopher.
and rubbing his eyes ; he told me what a pickle- he had been in all night , and what a curtain lecr . iire his wife had given him in the morning , with many other circumstances ; to all which old Time nodded assent , till unfortunatel y happening to say he was resolved to get drunk no more , the scene changed , and the bell began to ring a peal ; which . was interrupted by the coming in of a footman , belonging to a very worthy gentleman , who told me his master was below , and came with an intent to pay me a visit . i too
nau good an opinion of my friend s sincerity to have any inclination to put it to the trial ; I therefore covered my little instrunient with a napkin , and had the pleasure to find the bell silent during the whole visit , excepting once , when I inadvertently offered him apiece of service , which I afterwards found was not in my power to perform . ¦ I made several other experiments with it that day , at and after dinbut
ner ; as they turned out much of the same nature as those I have already related , I shall not tire you with a repetition of the same thing . The next day being Sunday , I carried it with me to one of the Lutheran churches , not doubting but-the sanftity of the place would inspire every one with that uprightness of heart , which is in a more especial manner requisite in the immediate presence of the Almi g hty , in his holy temple . ' I found the minister in the pulpit , pronounciiig an extempore prayer , and while that lasted all was well ; but the
congregation had no sooner joined with him in the Lord ' s prayer than I perceived my bell in motion , though , to stifle its sound , I had kept it in its case , and wrapt it up in a handkerchief in my pocket . At the prayer , ' give us this day , ' & c . it was pretty still ; but at the conditional supplication which followed , it was so loud , that the person who sat next me asked how I came to bring a larum with me to church ? all well
Uunng sermon was again , and I had reason to believe the good man m the pulpit was in earnest ; till towards the conclusion , giving the character of a person lately deceased , as anirifroduftion to a thanksgiving for his being delivered from the cares and troubles of tins wicked world , my bell put me in mind to be gone , lest I should meet with a second reprimand .
( joing the next day to the opera , I took my instrument with me 'Hither likewise , and being , by the favour of my friend Mr . H . admuted upon the stage , into the room where the aftresses were dressing , I set-it upon the table amongst them ; upon which I perceived they took , me for -a juggler , and wanted to know by what art I could set the bell a ringing at such distance ? You will easilconceive Saturn
a y Sad very little to do among these creatures : I could indeed have set "in in motion , 'by telling one I thought her ugly , a second that she vas a coquet , a third that she was a prude , and the like ; but I could , not prevail upon myself to be guilty of so much ill manners , especially as there were several persons of figure in the room , who
Drowsed to be their admirers : and indeed they were all so taken up , that » was long before I could find one at leisure to spend a little idle disburse upon . At length I espied a little hump-backed creature in a artier , who till then had escaped my . notice , without so much as
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Curious Account Given By The Dumb Philosopher.
and rubbing his eyes ; he told me what a pickle- he had been in all night , and what a curtain lecr . iire his wife had given him in the morning , with many other circumstances ; to all which old Time nodded assent , till unfortunatel y happening to say he was resolved to get drunk no more , the scene changed , and the bell began to ring a peal ; which . was interrupted by the coming in of a footman , belonging to a very worthy gentleman , who told me his master was below , and came with an intent to pay me a visit . i too
nau good an opinion of my friend s sincerity to have any inclination to put it to the trial ; I therefore covered my little instrunient with a napkin , and had the pleasure to find the bell silent during the whole visit , excepting once , when I inadvertently offered him apiece of service , which I afterwards found was not in my power to perform . ¦ I made several other experiments with it that day , at and after dinbut
ner ; as they turned out much of the same nature as those I have already related , I shall not tire you with a repetition of the same thing . The next day being Sunday , I carried it with me to one of the Lutheran churches , not doubting but-the sanftity of the place would inspire every one with that uprightness of heart , which is in a more especial manner requisite in the immediate presence of the Almi g hty , in his holy temple . ' I found the minister in the pulpit , pronounciiig an extempore prayer , and while that lasted all was well ; but the
congregation had no sooner joined with him in the Lord ' s prayer than I perceived my bell in motion , though , to stifle its sound , I had kept it in its case , and wrapt it up in a handkerchief in my pocket . At the prayer , ' give us this day , ' & c . it was pretty still ; but at the conditional supplication which followed , it was so loud , that the person who sat next me asked how I came to bring a larum with me to church ? all well
Uunng sermon was again , and I had reason to believe the good man m the pulpit was in earnest ; till towards the conclusion , giving the character of a person lately deceased , as anirifroduftion to a thanksgiving for his being delivered from the cares and troubles of tins wicked world , my bell put me in mind to be gone , lest I should meet with a second reprimand .
( joing the next day to the opera , I took my instrument with me 'Hither likewise , and being , by the favour of my friend Mr . H . admuted upon the stage , into the room where the aftresses were dressing , I set-it upon the table amongst them ; upon which I perceived they took , me for -a juggler , and wanted to know by what art I could set the bell a ringing at such distance ? You will easilconceive Saturn
a y Sad very little to do among these creatures : I could indeed have set "in in motion , 'by telling one I thought her ugly , a second that she vas a coquet , a third that she was a prude , and the like ; but I could , not prevail upon myself to be guilty of so much ill manners , especially as there were several persons of figure in the room , who
Drowsed to be their admirers : and indeed they were all so taken up , that » was long before I could find one at leisure to spend a little idle disburse upon . At length I espied a little hump-backed creature in a artier , who till then had escaped my . notice , without so much as