ARGUMENT. Melancholy plays the Schoolmaster to Mirth-The curious and perplexing dilemma of the Twins-Their escape-The world not free from the misfortunes of Chang and Ching-The conversation between Julian and Chang-Love-The immortality of the soul, &c.-Chang often seeks a renewal of that conversation-The ancient philosophers—The Boudhist religion---The state of Chang's mind on religious matters. CHAPTER II. ONE evening, Julian homeward walking, 66 Broke quite " inelegantly loud."* When one is suffering from blue devils, How very much one's Melancholy How very bitterly she quarrels With Mirth's sad sentiments and morals! * Lady was good enough to fashion the above phrase for me. Her Ladyship cannot endure a mob to be the least vulgar; in her works she appears quite affronted at their not wearing silk stockings, and shouting hurrah!—in a whisper. So Julian, when the crowd hc spied, On the concerns of other folks. Laneham had turn'd aside, I say, In vain to-day they may escape, Through life they plunge, strive, pant, and squabble, Somewhat of this sad species I am Afraid you'll think our Twins of Siam. Laneham walk'd up and ask'd the matter? But long ere silence was obtained, Off Chang, well able to prevail, if And, since his entré into fashion, Had loved like other beaux to dash on; Now reaped Profusion's sad results, In an arrest from Mr. Stultz! The bailiff seized him at the time When Chang, in whose unconscious cold ear, Brave Serjeant Drill had the sublime And gay profession of a soldier Been dinning; found himself imbruted With ale, and by the lord recruited! We wanted then some gallants tall, A Corps of Heroes for Bengal ; And Drill believed himself no dunce, In bagging two such birds at once. Well sure, that to enlist one brother, Was quite enough to win the other. Never, I ween, did War and Law Their several ways more drolly draw. Grappled on Chang the man of Slaughters! The sturdy bailiff grappled on Ching! The one pull'd this way to his quarters, If e'er you want a friend to free, 66 Against his will-at your behest"Aye-but a single step from hence, Sir, 66 Why, tremble at the consequence, Sir. *Anglice, "gift of words," that of which, in order to endow the Irish, Nature has, with great iniquity, cheated their neighbours the English. |