DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF SIR ASINUS.
Mowbray was an early riser; and the morning had not long looked upon the fresh fields, when he was on his way to Williamsburg. With a hopeful spirit, which banished peremptorily all those gloomy thoughts which were accustomed to harass him, he pressed on to commence his day of toil at the college.
As he entered Williamsburg, he came very near being overturned by a gentleman who was leaving that metropolitan city, at full gallop.
"Hey!" cried this gentleman, reining up; "why, good day, Mowbray!"
And Sir Asinus made a bow of grotesque respect.
"Whither away, my dear fellow—to that den of iniquity, the grammar school, eh?"
"Yes," said Mowbray, smiling; "and you?"
"I go to other fields and pastures new—to those Hesperian gardens famed of old, and so forth. Come with me!"
"No, thank you. I suppose you are going to see a lady?"
"Precisely; and now do you still refuse?"