ters. While engaged in spelling the words, my back suddenly became
warm, and immediately after I felt warm water trickling down my legs. I
turned round to discover the fountain of the stream, and, lo! an
abstracted philosopher was performing, at ease on my back, the same
operation that the dogs do against the study.

This infamous trick excited my wrath, and I gave him a severe blow.

The philosopher regained his wits at this, and seizing me by the hair,
dragged me around the market-place. Our struggles soon brought us both
to the ground. Then a multitude of philosophers came running towards us,
and having dragged me from under my opponent, beat me with their sticks
till I became senseless. I was then carried to a large house and thrown
into the middle of the hall. I now recovered in a measure from my ill
treatment.

On seeing this, the wise man who first insulted me, recommenced to beat
me, notwithstanding my prayers for mercy. I now learned that the
intensity of no anger can be compared to the philosophical; and that the
teachers of virtue and moderation are not called upon to practise the
same. The longer my oppressor beat me, the more did his blood boil. At
last there came into the hall four sophists, whose cloaks proclaimed
them to be of a different class from my late tyrants. They had some
compassion for me, and soothed the rage of the others. I was taken to
another house, and right glad was I to escape the hands of the bandits,
and get among honest people.

I related to my protectors the cause of the calamity. They laughed
heartily at the whole matter, and then explained to me that the
philosopher, absorbed in deep thought, had mistaken me for a pillar
before which it is customary, on certain natural occasions, to stop.

Just when I supposed myself in safety. I nearly gave up the ghost from
fear. I was led into a dissecting room, filled with bones and dead
bodies, the stench from which was intolerable.

After languishing in this disgusting den for half an hour, the lady of
the house brought in my dinner, which she had prepared herself. She was
very polite and amiable; but looked at me closely, and sighed
continually. I asked the reason of her sorrow. She answered, "that she
became sick when she thought of what I was to suffer."

"You have, indeed," she said, "come among honest people, for my husband,
who lives in this house, is a doctor of medicine, and the others are his
colleagues: but your uncommon figu