The coarse mode of procedure in Ahab _v._ Naboth ruthlessly exposed and
carefully contrasted with the humane and enlightened form of the present
day.

Here I awoke, and my wife said unto me, "Dear, you have been dreaming and
talking in your sleep."

Now fearing for what I may have said, although of a tolerably clear
conscience, I enquired if she could tell me what words I had uttered.
She replied that I had mentioned the names of many eminent men: such as
Mr. Justice Common Sense.

"Indeed," quoth I; and then I told my dream. Upon which she observed,
that it seemed there must be much exaggeration. To this I made answer
that dreams do generally magnify events, and impress them more vividly
upon the senses, inasmuch as the imagination was like a microscope: it
enabled you to see many things which would escape the naked eye.

"But," said my partner, "if they are distorted?"

"If they are distorted, they are not reliable; but a clear imagination,
like a good lens, faithfully presents its objects, although in a larger
form, in order that those who have no time for scientific observation,
may see what the scientist desires to direct their attention to. There
are creatures almost invisible to the naked eye, which, nevertheless,
cause great irritation to the nerves. So, also, there are matters
affecting the body corporate of these kingdoms which the public are blind
to and suffer from, but which, if thoroughly exposed, they may be
inclined to take a hand in removing."

"I don't believe that Mr. O'Rapley," said she: "he seems a cantankerous,
conceited fellow."

"Why so he is; but cantankerous and conceited fellows sometimes speak the
truth. They're like those cobwebbed, unwholesome-looking bottles which
have lain a long time in cellars. You would hardly like to come in
contact with them, and yet they often contain a clear and beautiful wine.
This Mr. O'Rapley is a worthy man who knows a great deal, and although a
bit of a toady to his superiors, expresses his opinions pretty freely
behind their backs."

"And what of this Master Bumpkin--this worthy Master Bumpkin I hear you
speak of so often?"

"A very shrewd man in some respects and a silly one in others."

"Not an unusual combination."

"By no means."

And then I told her what I have already related; to which she observed it
was a pity some friend had not interposed and stopped the business. I
answered, that friends were no doubt useful, but friends