ill, or it could not have answered at the rate my
brother mentions.

It answered, replied my uncle Toby, as well, if not better; for, as
Peireskius elegantly expresses it, speaking of the velocity of its
motion, Tam citus erat, quam erat ventus; which, unless I have forgot my
Latin, is, that it was as swift as the wind itself.

But pray, Dr. Slop, quoth my father, interrupting my uncle (tho' not
without begging pardon for it at the same time) upon what principles was
this self-same chariot set a-going?--Upon very pretty principles to
be sure, replied Dr. Slop:--And I have often wondered, continued he,
evading the question, why none of our gentry, who live upon large
plains like this of ours,--(especially they whose wives are not past
child-bearing) attempt nothing of this kind; for it would not only
be infinitely expeditious upon sudden calls, to which the sex is
subject,--if the wind only served,--but would be excellent good
husbandry to make use of the winds, which cost nothing, and which eat
nothing, rather than horses, which (the devil take 'em) both cost and
eat a great deal.

For that very reason, replied my father, 'Because they cost nothing, and
because they eat nothing,'--the scheme is bad;--it is the consumption of
our products, as well as the manufactures of them, which gives bread to
the hungry, circulates trade,--brings in money, and supports the value
of our lands;--and tho', I own, if I was a Prince, I would
generously recompense the scientifick head which brought forth such
contrivances;--yet I would as peremptorily suppress the use of them.

My father here had got into his element,--and was going on as
prosperously with his dissertation upon trade, as my uncle Toby had
before, upon his of fortification;--but to the loss of much sound
knowledge, the destinies in the morning had decreed that no dissertation
of any kind should be spun by my father that day,--for as he opened his
mouth to begin the next sentence,

Chapter 1.XL.

In popped Corporal Trim with Stevinus:--But 'twas too late,--all the
discourse had been exhausted without him, and was running into a new
channel.

--You may take the book home again, Trim, said my uncle Toby, nodding to
him.

But prithee, Corporal, quoth my father, drolling,--look first into it,
and see if thou canst spy aught of a sailing chariot in it.

Corporal Trim, by being in the service, had learned to obey,--and not to
remonstrate,--so taking the book to a s