Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/61

 "A ghost, to be sure."

"A ghost!" said Mr. Pokey. "I call it a wision!"

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mr. Snorkins; "it's a apparition—that's what it is—and I'll bet you glasses round of it—come."

Hereupon Mr. Legge interposed an observation to the effect, that half the difference between ghosts, spirits, visions, and apparitions, wasn't much; but Obadiah, to whom nothing could be unknown, and who was consequently conversant with every species of spectre, contended loudly that the difference between them was as great as the difference between those familiar friends of his, Billy Pitt, Harry Brougham, Johnny Russell, and Bobby Peel. He, moreover, learnedly enlarged upon this; and, having adduced innumerable analogous cases, concluded by observing, with the view of proving the distinction beyond all doubt, that the appearance of "Billy Pitt" would be a spirit—that of "Harry Brougham" a vision—that of "Bobby Peel" an apparition—and that of "Johnny Russell" a ghost.

Meanwhile, the agitation of Mrs. Legge was excessive. Nothing could surpass it! nothing ever equalled it! Certain she was that she never should be able to get through the night. The state of her nerves was altogether frightful! Twenty times during the discussion had she begged of them to leave, but in vain: they could not be prevailed upon to move—they were perfectly deaf to her entreaties, so long as she continued to supply their demands; but when she at length announced her firm determination that they should'nt have another drop in her house that night, if she knew it, they made up their minds to go round by the road, shook Legge by the hand, and departed.

is, perhaps, nothing connected with our nature more easily excited than suspicion. However much disposed we may be to confide in the honour and sincerity of those around us, we cannot extinguish that feeling of suspicion which appears to be inherent in our hearts. It may be latent—it may even for years be dormant; but it is to be aroused by a single word, and when it is aroused it frequently developes itself with so much malignity, that prudence, pride, love, honour, justice, and reason fall before it. Some imagine that as there is so much deception beneath the surface of society, suspicion is absolutely essential to security—and it certainly is not safe to be too confiding—but it really does seem most ungenerous to suspect in a world in which there is such an immense amount of superficial honesty. There is, however, something