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 rather mistaken the way of becoming as a little child, intended in Matt, xviii. 3: let us hope the will may be taken for the deed. Two poets have given images of transition from infancy to manhood: Dryden,—for the Hind is Dryden himself on all fours; and Wordsworth, in his own character of broad-nailed, featherless biped:—

In Wordsworth's aspiration it is meant that sense and piety should grow together: in Dryden's description a combination of Mysticism And Bigotry (can this be the double Vahu?), personified as 'the priest,'—who always catches it on this score, though the same spirit is found in all associations,—succeeds the boguey-teaching of the nurse. Never was the contrast of smile and scowl, of light and darkness, better seen than in the two pictures. But an acrostic distinction may be drawn. When mysticism predominates over bigotry, we have the grotesque picturesque, and the natural order of words gives us Mab an appropriate suggestion. But when bigotry has the upper hand, we see Bam, which is just as appropriate; for bigotry nearly always deals with facts and logic so as to require the application of at least one of the minor words by which dishonesty is signified. I think that M is the Doctor's initial, and that Queen Mab tickles him in his sleep with the sharp end of a 6.

(Monday, August 21.) Three weeks having elapsed without notice from me of the Doctor, I receive a reminder of his existence, in which I find that as I am the Daniel who judges the Magi of Babylon, it is to be pointed out that Daniel 'bore a certain number, that of a man (beloved), Daniel, ch. 10. v. 11, and which you certainly do not.' Then, 'by Greek power,' Belteshazzar is made = 666. Here is another awkward imitation of the way of a baby child. When you have sported with the tiny creature until it runs away offended, by the time you have got into conversation again you will find the game is to be renewed: a little head peeps out from a hiding-place with 'I don't love you.' The proper rejoinder is, 'Very well! then I'll have pussy.' But in the case before me there is a rule of three sum to do; as baby : pussy Dr. :: 666 : the answer required. I will work it out, if I can.