Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 2).djvu/545

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
548
The Strand Magazine.

deprive London of Fish?—the Grotesque Insanity of our wild Rush of Juggernaut Fire-Engines through crowded Streets?—the hilarious Jocosity of a Coinage with its Values unindicated upon it?—in short, the Comicality of most of your Institutions?"

When I had made an End, the Fellow-Countryman fell to shaking his Head hopelessly; by Reason of which I am most firmly convinced that I need have no Manner of Misgiving on the Score of the great Change I have alluded to; seeing that the Change is too great to be anyway brought about.

With which most comforting Reflection I shall beg Leave to close the present Speculation.


"Do you perceive the humour?"