BOOK FOURTH.
INITIAL CHAPTER.
COMPRISING MR.

CAXTON'S OPINIONS ON THE MATRIMONIAL STATE, SUPPORTED BY LEARNED AUTHORITIES.
"It was no bad idea of yours, Pisistratus," said my father, graciously, "to depict the heightened affections and the serious intention of Signor Riccabocca by a single stroke,--He left of his spectacles! Good." "Yet," quoth my uncle, "I think Shakspeare represents a lover as falling into slovenly habits, neglecting his person, and suffering his hose to be ungartered, rather than paying that attention to his outer man which induces Signor Riccabocca to leave off his spectacles, and look as handsome as nature will permit him." "There are different degrees and many phases of the passion," replied my father.

"Shakspeare is speaking of an ill-treated, pining, woe-begone lover, much aggrieved by the cruelty of his mistress,--a lover who has found it of no avail to smarten himself up, and has fallen despondently into the opposite extreme.

Whereas Signor Riccabocca has nothing to complain of in the barbarity of Miss Jemima." "Indeed he has not!" cried Blanche, tossing her head,--"forward creature!" "Yes, my dear," said my mother, trying her best to look stately, "I am decidedly of opinion that, in that respect, Pisistratus has lowered the dignity of the sex.

Not intentionally," added my mother, mildly, and afraid she had said something too bitter; "but it is very hard for a man to describe us women." The captain nodded approvingly; Mr.Squills smiled; my father quietly resumed the thread of his discourse.
"To continue," quoth he.