sort of character among them, from the forte or piano of a
certain wind-instrument they use,--which they say is infallible.--I dare
not mention the name of the instrument in this place;--'tis sufficient
we have it amongst us,--but never think of making a drawing by it;--this
is aenigmatical, and intended to be so, at least ad populum:--And
therefore, I beg, Madam, when you come here, that you read on as fast as
you can, and never stop to make any inquiry about it.

There are others again, who will draw a man's character from no other
helps in the world, but merely from his evacuations;--but this often
gives a very incorrect outline,--unless, indeed, you take a sketch
of his repletions too; and by correcting one drawing from the other,
compound one good figure out of them both.

I should have no objection to this method, but that I think it must
smell too strong of the lamp,--and be render'd still more operose, by
forcing you to have an eye to the rest of his Non-naturals.--Why
the most natural actions of a man's life should be called his
Non-naturals,--is another question.

There are others, fourthly, who disdain every one of these
expedients;--not from any fertility of their own, but from the various
ways of doing it, which they have borrowed from the honourable devices
which the Pentagraphic Brethren (Pentagraph, an instrument to copy
Prints and Pictures mechanically, and in any proportion.) of the brush
have shewn in taking copies.--These, you must know, are your great
historians.

One of these you will see drawing a full length character against the
light;--that's illiberal,--dishonest,--and hard upon the character of
the man who sits.

Others, to mend the matter, will make a drawing of you in the
Camera;--that is most unfair of all, because, there you are sure to be
represented in some of your most ridiculous attitudes.

To avoid all and every one of these errors in giving you my uncle
Toby's character, I am determined to draw it by no mechanical help
whatever;--nor shall my pencil be guided by any one wind-instrument
which ever was blown upon, either on this, or on the other side of the
Alps;--nor will I consider either his repletions or his discharges,--or
touch upon his Non-naturals; but, in a word, I will draw my uncle Toby's
character from his Hobby-Horse.

Chapter 1.XXIV.

If I was not morally sure that the reader must be out of all patience
for my uncle Toby's character,--I would here previous