Page:Dickens - A Child s History of England, 1900.djvu/536

106 labor been traced to a sty in Somers Town; but as he was in a very infirm state at the time, being afflicted with measles, and shortly afterward disappeared, there appeared too much reason to conjecture that he had been converted into sausages. The disorder of the learned pig was originally a severe cold, which, being aggravated by excessive trough indulgence, finally settled upon the lungs, and terminated in a general decay of the constitution. A melancholy instance of a presentiment entertained by the animal of his approaching dissolution was recorded. After gratifying a numerous and fashionable company with his performances, in which no falling off whatever was visible, he fixed his eyes on the biographer, and, turning to the watch, which lay on the floor, and on which he was accustomed to point out the hour, deliberately passed his snout twice around the dial. In precisely four-and-twenty hours from that time he had ceased to exist!

"Professor Wheezy inquired, whether, previous to his demise, the animal had expressed, by signs or otherwise, any wishes regarding the disposal of his little property. " Mr. Blunderum replied, that, when the biographer took up the pack of cards at the conclusion of the performance, the animal grunted several times in a significant manner, and nodded his head as he was accustomed to do when gratified. From these gestures, it was understood he wished the attendant to keep the cards, which he had ever since done. He had not expressed any wish relative to his watch, which had accordingly been pawned by the same individual.

"The president wished to know whether any member of the section had ever seen or conversed with the pig-faced lady, who was reported to have worn a black velvet mask, and to have taken her meals from a golden trough.

"After some hesitation a member replied that the pig-faced lady was his mother-in-law, and that he trusted the president would not violate the sanctity of private life.

"The president begged pardon. He had considered the pig-faced lady a public cliaracter. Would the honorable member object to state, with a view to the advancement of science, whether she was in any way connected with the learned pig?