Porcia’s dream we recited in a sort of rivalry, and divided between us the wild dialogue of despair between Satan and Adramelech, who have been cast into the Red Sea.  The first part, as the strongest, had been assigned to me; and the second, as a little more pathetic, was undertaken by my sister.  The alternate and horrible but well-sounding curses flowed only thus from our mouths, and we seized every opportunity to accost each other with these infernal phrases.

One Saturday evening in winter,—­my father always had himself shaved over night, that on Sunday morning he might dress for church at his ease,—­we sat on a footstool behind the stove, and muttered our customary imprecations in a tolerably low voice, while the barber was putting on the lather.  But now Adramelech had to lay his iron hands on Satan:  my sister seized me with violence, and recited, softly enough, but with increasing passion,—­

“Give me thine aid, I entreat thee:  I’ll worship thee if thou demandest,
 Thee, thou reprobate monster, yes, thee, of all criminals blackest! 
 Aid me.  I suffer the tortures of death, everlasting, avenging! 
 Once, in the times gone by, I with furious hatred could hate thee: 
 Now I can hate thee no more!  E’en this is the sharpest of tortures.”

Thus far all went on tolerably; but loudly, with a dreadful voice, she cried the following words:—­

“Oh, how utterly crushed I am now!”

The good surgeon was startled, and emptied the lather-basin into my father’s bosom.  There was a great uproar; and a severe investigation was held, especially with respect to the mischief which might have been done if the shaving had been actually going forward.  In order to relieve ourselves of all suspicions of mischievousness, we pleaded guilty of having acted these Satanic characters; and the misfortune occasioned by the hexameters was so apparent, that they were again condemned and banished.

Thus children and common people are accustomed to transform the great and sublime into a sport, and even a farce; and how indeed could they otherwise abide and endure it?

THIRD BOOK.

At that time the general interchange of personal good wishes made the city very lively on New-Year’s Day.  Those who otherwise did not easily leave home, donned their best clothes, that for a moment they might be friendly and courteous to their friends and patrons.  The festivities at my grandfather’s house on this day were pleasures particularly desired by us children.  At early dawn the grandchildren had already assembled there to hear the drums, oboes, clarinets, trumpets, and cornets played upon by the military, the city musicians, and whoever else might furnish his tones.  The New-Year’s gifts, sealed and superscribed, were divided by us children among the humbler congratulators; and, as the day advanced, the number of those of higher rank increased.