same kind might have been said of him when under the influence of
mustard. He was then the warmest boy anywhere about; and fully
appreciated the cheering influence of "the castors"--he did not go
upon castors for a long time afterward, and never again to the same
extent.

There was another source of trouble to Mathew Mizzle. His eyes proper
were sharp enough; but the knowledge they acquired was not sufficient
to satisfy his devouring thirst for information, and therefore much of
his seeing was done with the tips of his fingers, or the grasp of his
hands. He must touch every thing, and of course spoilt many things.
Leave him alone in the room for a moment, and he would open all the
letters, peep into every drawer, smell at every unknown substance,
displace your china, spoil your musical-box, climb up the piano-forte,
and pull over the vases of flowers. If you did not hear a crash this
time, do not flatter yourself. Some secret, but equally important
mischief has been accomplished, though it may not be apparent for
days. The Mathew Mizzles always leave their mark; and when a gun went
off in his hands, the shot that fractured the mirror rendered it
fortunate that the mark was only a mirror, as Mathew Mizzle roared
with terror at "the sound himself had made."

Mathew Mizzle, grown as he is now to man's estate, has perchance
changed the objects of his pursuit, but the activity both of his mind
and of his body remains undiminished. Curious as ever to ascertain
facts. He is one of those who have ever an eye upon their neighbors.
He follows people to ascertain whither they are going. It is a
favorite amusement of his to peep through the blinds of an evening, to
ascertain what you and your family are about. He listens at doors, and
he peers through cracks and patronizes knot-holes. If he can learn
nothing else, it is a satisfaction for him to ascertain what you are
about to have for dinner, and who stopped in to tea. Speak over loud
in the street, and Mathew Mizzle saunters close at your elbow, but
with such an unconscious look, that you would never dream that he had
come merely for information.

No one knows better than he all about the domestic difficulties of
families. His sources of intelligence are innumerable. Sometimes you
may find him on the back fence, taking observations of the domestic
circle; and he has been seen of an evening up the linden-tree in front
of domiciles, for similar purposes. The servants of the vic