Page:Illustrations of Madness.djvu/45

24 sayings,” which term will be afterwards explained.

The last of the males is termed the Middle Man, who is about 57 years of age, of the middle stature, with a broad chest ; has a twang of the hawk countenance, not pockfretten, and much resembling the late Mr. Smeaton the engineer. He is dressed in a blue coat, with a plain waistcoat. It is said that he is a manufacturer of air-looms, and possesses the first rate skill in working this instrument. Altho’ he is unrelenting in his persecution of Mr. M. he appears to consider it as sport, and sits grinning, apparently delighted that he cannot be taken unawares. After his attacks, he generally observes that Mr. M. is the talisman ; then Sir Archy replies, with a sneer, “ Yes, he is the talisman.”

Among the females who compose this