volent wart
upon his nose, an alert step, drab-breeches with thin worsted stockings of
pepper and salt, plated buckles worn to the brass in his shoes, and silver
ones at the knees, and the heaviest pair of shad that had appeared in the
lane during the morning. I saw him deposit the Fish safely in his kitchen
which he entered through a side gate, giving some strict injunctions to
the cook with the air of a person who had certainly made a good bargain
and was speaking to one who best knew how to appreciate it.

We then wended our way together to a neighboring house where we were
immediately admitted. A person older than the visitor, quite deaf, pale
and suffering but without complaint, lay extended upon a couch in a soft
chintz dressing-gown, afflicted with that sort of Will-o'-the-wisp gout,
that takes the toe, the heel, the knee, the hip, the heart, the neck, the
head, and hands, in turn: not in any graceful rotation, not in any quiet
or systematic order; but that gratifies itself by darting with the
quickness of the electrick fire to which it is allied, to the part least
expecting or prepared to sustain the pang. Not an honest gentlemanly gout
that will exhibit itself and meet one fairly toe to toe with the
inflammation of undisguised passion; but an adder, a viper of the nerves
that stings and flies; and darts and disappears before the flesh has even
time to blush for its existence; so subtle yet so tormenting, so deep yet
so evanescent, that the patient in his agony half wonders whether it be a
malady of the body or of the soul; and only knows that it is a pain, aye
marry 'past all surgery!'

Our invalid was now enjoying a momentary interval of ease, and welcomed
his guest very cheerfully, although without attempting to do more than
extend his hand to him and beg him to sit near. Notwithstanding all
deafness the compliments of the morning, the enquiries after different
members of each other's family, and the comments on the weather, were made
and understood and interchanged with great facility, and the visit went
off swimmingly; until the stout gentleman, probably actuated by his desire
to speak of his successful purchase of the morning, ventured, at the first
pause, to ask his acquaintance if he were fond of fish?

'I thank you,' said the latter, 'the mare is decidedly better; that
bleeding in the hoof did her business completely, and I don't doubt that
by autumn she will be as well as ever.'

'I asked you,' said