Mr.Valeer ventured in the streets, though not without being well armed.

Some of his friends congratulated him on the decided stand he had taken, and hoped he would settle the matter amicably with Elfonzo, without any serious injury.

"Me," he replied, "what, me, condescend to fellowship with a coward, and a low-lived, lazy, undermining villain?
no, gentlemen, this cannot be; I had rather be borne off, like the bubble upon the dark blue ocean, with Ambulinia by my side, than to have him in the ascending or descending line of relationship.

Gentlemen," continued he, "if Elfonzo is so much of a distinguished character, and is so learned in the fine arts, why do you not patronize such men?
why not introduce him into your families, as a gentleman of taste and of unequaled magnanimity?
why are you so very anxious that he should become a relative of mine?
Oh, gentlemen, I fear you yet are tainted with the curiosity of our first parents, who were beguiled by the poisonous kiss of an old ugly serpent, and who, for one APPLE, DAMNED all mankind.

I wish to divest myself, as far as possible, of that untutored custom.