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never once asked after my health, or even whether I was fa-
tigued with my journey; but their first question was almost
invariably an inquiry after my temper, the naivete of which
astonished me till I became used to it. One day, being tired
and cold, and weary of saying the same thing over and over
again, I turned a little brusquely on my questioner and said
that I was exceedingly cross, and that I could hardly feel
in a worse humour with myself and every one else than at
that moment. To my surprise, I was met with the kindest
expressions of condolence, and heard it buzzed about the
room that I was in an ill temper; whereon people began to
give me nice things to smell and to eat, which really did
seem to have some temper-mending quality about them, for
I soon felt pleased and was at once congratulated upon be-
ing better. The next morning two or three people sent their
servants to the hotel with sweetmeats, and inquiries wheth-
er I had quite recovered from my ill humour. On receiving
the good things I felt in half a mind to be ill-tempered every
evening; but I disliked the condolences and the inquiries,
and found it most comfortable to keep my natural temper,
which is smooth enough generally.
Among those who came to visit me were some who
had received a liberal education at the Colleges of Unrea-
son, and taken the highest degrees in hypothetics, which
are their principal study. These gentlemen had now settled
down to various employments in the country, as straight-
eners, managers and cashiers of the Musical Banks, priests
of religion, or what not, and carrying their education with
them they diffused a leaven of culture throughout the coun-