ug-nosed man,
who had taken upon himself the part of Quince the carpenter, in the
Midsummer Night's Dream. "You, Nick Bottom," continued he, addressing
another, "are set down for Pyramus."

The party addressed did not, however, appear to enter into the humour.
He was a heavy-made, rather corpulent, white-faced personage, dressed in
white jean trousers, white waistcoat, brown coat, and white hat.
Whether anything had put him out of humour I know not, but it is evident
that he was the butt of the ladies and of most of the party.

"I'll just thank you," replied this personage, whose real name was
Winterbottom, "to be quiet, Mr Western, for I shan't stand any of your
nonsense."

"Oh, Mr Winterbottom, surely you are not about to sow the seeds of
discord so early. Look at the scene before you--hear how the birds are
singing, how merrily the sun shines and how beautifully the water
sparkles! Who can be cross on such a morning as this?"

"No, miss," replied Mr Winterbottom, "not at all--not at all--only my
name's Winterbottom, and not Bottom. I don't wear an ass's head to
please anybody--that's all. I won't be _bottom_--that's _flat_."

"That depends upon circumstances, sir," observed Tom.

"What business have you to shove your oar in, Mr Waterman?"

"I was hired for the purpose," replied Tom, dipping his oar in the
water, and giving a hearty stroke.

"Stick to your own element, then--shove your oar into the water, but not
into our discourse."

"Well, sir, I won't say another word, if you don't like it."

"But you may to me," said Titania, laughing, "whenever you please."

"And to me too," said Tinfoil, who was amused with Tom's replies.

Mr Winterbottom became very wroth, and demanded to be put on shore
directly, but the Fairy Queen ordered us to obey him at our peril, and
Mr Winterbottom was carried up the river very much against his
inclination.

"Our friend is not himself," said Mr Tinfoil, producing a key bugle;
"but--

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, and rend the knotted oak.

"And, therefore, will we try the effect of it upon his senses." Mr
Tinfoil then played the air in "Midas":--

"Pray, Goody, please to moderate," etcetera.

During which Mr Winterbottom looked more sulky than ever. As soon as
the air was finished, another of the party responded with his flute,
from the other boat--while Mr Quince played what he called base, by
snapping his fingers.