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 any man; no, if instead of being a common literary hack, a jade of all work, he had the powers and learning of Dr. Strongbrain." Scribble, too intoxicated for prudence, screamed with rage, "let me tell you, sir, I am superior to a hundred Strongbrains put together." Nincompoop, who was perfectly sober, and extremely quick in surveying his own interest, recollecting the serviceableness of Scribble's manufacturing talents, resolved to avoid a quarrel; and, by unsaying all that he had said, imputing it to the hastiness of his temper, and asserting his thorough conviction, that Scribble far surpassed Strongbrain, and every other literary man, he pacified the enraged author, called for a fresh bowl, and spent the remainder of the evening in friendly conversation, that was ended, by Dicky's falling from his chair on the carpet, where he slept without disturbance till the fol