Franklin.—Proceed—I am all attention.
Gout.—Do you remember how often you have promised yourself, the following morning, a walk in the grove of Boulogne, in the garden de la Muette, or in your own garden, and have violated your promise, alledging, at one time, it was too cold, at another too warm, too windy, too moist, or what else you pleased; when in truth it was too nothing, but your insuperable love of ease?
Franklin.—That I confess may have happened occasionally, probably ten times in a year.
Gout.—Your confession is very far short of the truth; the gross amount is one hundred and ninety-nine times.
Franklin.—Is it possible?
Gout.—So possible that it is fact; you may rely on the accuracy of my statement. You know Mr. B——'s gardens, and what fine walks they contain; you know the handsome flight of an hundred steps, which lead from the terrace above to the lawn below. You have been in the practice of visiting this amiable family twice a week after dinner, and as it is a maxim of your own, that "a man may take as much exercise in walking a mile up and down stairs, as in ten on level ground," what an opportunity was here for you to have had exercise in both these ways? Did you embrace it, and how often?
Franklin.—I cannot immediately answer that question.
Gout.—I will do it for you; not once.
Franklin.—Not once?