Both he and his supposed “enemy” were present at a dinner, given by a high official, the chief Knowledge-tester or Examiner.  Our dining-tables are semicircular, and the guests are seated on the convex side only.  The Monomaniac, being a particular friend, honoured by the host, sat next to him in the centre.  The supposed “enemy” happened to be seated at the extreme end of the semicircle, and consequently in a position to be seen from the centre of the table.  All went on well till about the middle of the repast, when suddenly the Monomaniac rose, pointed to his supposed enemy, and addressing himself to the guests, said, “Look there!  Do you not see the grimaces he is making at me?”

Every one marvelled!  The host addressed the Monomaniac in a gentle tone, entreating him to have more control over his temper, Those seated close to the supposed “enemy” declared loudly that he had made no grimaces; but their denial only increased the fury of the accuser.  A bird—­ considered a great delicacy—­had just been placed before the host.  It was arranged, as were our dishes generally, to please the eye as well as the palate, being ornamented with olives, sweetmeats, and other ingredients of varied colours.  Birds, I may incidentally remark, are cooked without the bones; these are skilfully taken out and serve to enrich the gravy.

The Monomaniac again rose suddenly and, before his arm could be arrested, seized the fowl, larded as it was with accessories and dripping with gravy, and with all his force hurled it whole, with unerring aim, at the face of the supposed enemy.  So great was his excitement, and so rapid his movements, that he had seized one of the “knife-spoons,” and had he not been arrested, would probably have hurled that, and, indeed, everything within reach against the object of his fury.

At private dinners the number of guests never exceeds twelve, and at the back of each, corresponding to every seat, is a small closet, ordinarily used by each guest for his ablutions.  Into one of these the Monomaniac was placed with considerable difficulty, everything with which he could injure himself having been previously removed.  By the doctor’s order he was treated as a patient and, after some time, the result of the application of the tests, then only recently discovered, showed that he was much affected with brain animalcula, which had been generated by the exhaustion of one part of the brain, in consequence of the incessant occupations of another portion, by one all-engrossing subject, without the relief of sufficient air, recreation, and bodily exercise.

The “supposed enemy” and the Monomaniac had been both occupied on the same subject; the latter was much superior, and had consequently attained greater distinction.  Nothwithstanding this, he was fearful that the “enemy” would ultimately excel him.