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HEADLONG HALL.
165

her devoted knight for half an hour: but as I perceive there are enough without me, that motive is null. I have been weighing these points pro and con, and remain in statu quo.

Mr. Escot.

I have danced, contrary to my system, as I have done many other things since I have been here, from a motive that you will easily guess. (Mr Jenkison smiled.) I have great objections to dancing. The wild and original man is a calm and contemplative animal. The stings of natural appetite alone rouse him to action. He satisfies his hunger with roots and fruits, unvitiated by the malignant adhibition of fire, and all its diabolical processes of elixion and assation: he slakes his thirst in the mountain-stream, συμμισγεται τῃ επιτυχουσῃ, and returns to his peaceful state of meditative repose.