The parson burst upon the philosopher like an avalanche! He was so full of his subject that he could not let it out in prudent driblets.

No, he went souse upon the astounded Riccabocca-- "Tremendo Jupiter ipse rueus tumultu." The sage--shrinking deeper into his armchair, and drawing his dressing-robe more closely round him--suffered the parson to talk for three quarters of an hour, till indeed he had thoroughly proved his case; and, like Brutus, "paused for a reply." Then said Riccabocca mildly: "In much of what you have urged so ably, and so suddenly, I am inclined to agree.

But base is the man who formally forswears the creed he has inherited from his fathers, and professed since the cradle up to years of maturity, when the change presents itself in the guise of a bribe; when, for such is human nature, he can hardly distinguish or disentangle the appeal to his reason from the lure to his interests,--here a text, and there a dowry!--here Protestantism, there Jemima! Own, my friend, that the soberest casuist would see double under the inebriating effects produced by so mixing his polemical liquors.

Appeal, my good Mr.Dale, from Philip drunken to Philip sober!--from Riccabocca intoxicated with the assurance of your excellent lady, that he is about to be 'the happiest of men,' to Riccabocca accustomed to his happiness, and carrying it off with the seasoned equability of one grown familiar with stimulants,--in a word, appeal from Riccabocca the wooer to Riccabocca the spouse.

I may be convertible, but conversion is a slow progress; courtship should be a quick one,--ask Miss Jemima.