The commissioner: or, de Lunatico inquirendo / With twenty-eight illustrations on steel by Phiz [i.e. H.K. Browne] [Anon].

George Payne Rainsford James

Date:: 1843

Credit: The commissioner: or, de Lunatico inquirendo / With twenty-eight illustrations on steel by Phiz [i.e. H.K. Browne] [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

505/526 (page 427)

$In the meantime, I\Ir. Winterton and ]Mr. Longslianks liad been at ■war at the otlier side of tlie table; and wliile the other dislies were being put on, and before the covers were removed, the surgeon was heard to end the conversation in his caustic and decided manner, saying— “ In the course of a long life, sir, I have met with many egregious fools, botli in public and in private capacities, but the greatest that ever I met witli, heard, or dreamed of, are those who contend that men who are, by knowledge and intelligence, unfit for the construction of a mousetrap, without education, without principles, and without conduct, ought to be admitted to a share in governing a great country. You say, aclniit them to that share, and the government they will choose will educate them, and teach them intelligence and virtue. That, sir, is to expect that evil will produce good, folly wisdom, ignorance learning ; and there can be no earthly doubt to any man who has wit, candour, or honesty, that the bad will choose bad, and the foolish foolish representatives. Let us hear no more nonsense upon the subject, for until all the world be rendered good and wdse universal sufirage can only produce universal confusion—as we see exemplified in America, where the only bonds that hold society together are the laws and customs which they derived from the country whose authority they have abjured ; and daily these laws and customs are giving way before the pressure of democratic violence, like old flood-gates swei)t away by an overwhelming torrent.” While these things were proceeding at various parts of the table, I^aura Longniore was seated ha})pily between her father and her lover; and the peer was chatting gaily with his son’s bride upon his right hand, who for her })art was conducting herself with great })ropriety of demeanour, and re])lying timidly but not ungracefully to the jests and gibes of her noble father-in-law. Just at the moment that i\Ir. Longshanks finished his oration, the covers were suddenly removed from the dishes, and various people asked various other people what they would take. The young lady next to iMr. Darius took some venison ; and that gentleman then turned to Mr. Fitzurse, saying, “ Let me help you to some of this,” and pointing to the dish before him, in which, amongst rich sauces and gravies, appeared a number of small ribs and bones, covered with a tender white meat, looking somewhat like that of a young j)ig, but without its fat. “ No ; I think I will have some venison,” said Mr. Fitzurse, in a faint tone, turning his head away. “ Fitzurse 1” said Mr. Darius, in a stern and solemn voice. “ I caen’t,” said Mr. Fitzurse ; “ I had raether not.” “ What, sir!” rejoined his companion, in a low l)ut fierce tone. “Do you mean to say you can eat none, after I haAe taken the trouble of having it dressed expressly for you? Do you mean to insult me, sir ?” “ No, no, no, no,” cried Mr. Fitzurse, in accents of despairing resignation. “ Well, demm it, if I must, 1 must—so give me some of$