And what the Devil have the words of Terence to do with my query?
You are again reprimanded Sir. If it be a bad thing to have the Devil at one's elbow, it cannot be a good one to have him at ones tongue's end. The sentence is sufficiently applicable. It is a humane thing to offer advice where it is wanted, and a very humane thing to write and publish a book which is intended to be either useful or delightful to those who read it.
A humane thing to write a book!—Martin of Galway's humanity is not a better joke than that!
Martin of Galway's humanity is no joke, Sir. He has began a good work, and will be remembered for it with that honour which is due to all who have endeavoured to lessen the sum of suffering and wickedness in this wicked world.
Answer me one question, Mr. Author, if you please. If your book is intended to be either useful or delightful, why have you filled it with such a parcel of nonsense?
What you are pleased to call by that name, Mr. Reader, may be either sense or nonsense according to the understanding which it meets with. Quicquid recipitur, recipitur in modum recipientis. Look in the seventh Chapter of the second book of Esdras, and at the twenty-fifth verse you will find the solution of your demand.
And do you suppose I shall take the trouble of looking into the Bible to please the humour of such a fellow as you?
If you do not, Sir, there are others who will; and more good may arise from looking into that book,—even upon such an occasion,—than either they or I can anticipate.
And so, scornful reader, wishing thee a better mind, and an enlightened understanding, I bid thee gladly and heartily farewell!
END OF VOL. VI.