ow that
saving cutlers' lives is my hobby, and one in which I am steadily
resisted and defeated, especially by the cutlers themselves: why, I look
upon you as a most considerate and obliging young man for indulging me
in this way. If you had been a Hillsborough hand, you would insist upon
a brain-fever, and a trip to the lunatic asylum, just to vex me, and
hinder me of my hobby."

Henry stared. This was too eccentric for him to take it all in at once.
"What!" said Dr. Amboyne, observing his amazement, "Did you never hear
of Dr. Doubleface?"

"No, sir."

"Never hear of the corpulent lunatic, who goes about the city chanting,
like a cuckoo, 'Put yourself in his place--put yourself in her place--in
their place?'

"No, sir, I never did."

"Then such is fame. Well, never mind that just now; there's a time for
every thing. Please observe that ruined house: the ancient family to
whom it belongs are a remarkable example of the vicissitude of human
affairs." He then told him the curious ups and downs of that family,
which, at two distant periods, had held vast possessions in the county;
but were now represented by the shell of one manor house, and its
dovecote, the size of a modern villa. Next he showed him an obscure
battlefield, and told him that story, and who were the parties engaged;
and so on. Every mile furnished its legend, and Dr. Amboyne related them
all so graphically that the patient's mind was literally stolen away
from himself. At last, after a rapid drive of eleven miles through the
pure invigorating air, they made a sudden turn, and entered a pleasant
and singularly rural village: they drew up at a rustic farmhouse, clad
with ivy; and Dr. Amboyne said, "This is the temple: here you can sleep
as safe from gunpowder as a field-marshal born."

The farmer's daughter came out, and beamed pleasure at sight of the
doctor: he got down, and told her the case, privately, and gave
her precise instructions. She often interrupted the narrative with
"Lawkadaisies," and other rural interjections, and simple exclamations
of pity. She promised faithful compliance with his orders.

He then beckoned Henry in, and said, "This picture of health was a
patient of mine once, as you are now; there's encouragement for you. I
put you under her charge. Get a letter written to your mother, and I'll
come back for it in half an hour. You had a headache, and were feverish,
so you consulted a doctor. He advised immediate rest and change