for meditation till at least half a dozen country-dances had been
finished. In vain the Berwick Jockey, the Highland Laddie, and the
Flowers of Edinburgh, were played; "they suited not the gloomy habit" of
his soul. He fixed himself behind a pillar, proof against music, mirth,
and sympathy: he looked upon the dancers with a cynical eye. At length he
found an amusement that gratified his present splenetic humour; he
applied both his hands to his ears, effectually to stop out the sound of
the music, that he might enjoy the ridiculous spectacle of a number of
people capering about, without any apparent motive. Forester's attitude
caught the attention of some of the company; indeed, it was strikingly
awkward. His elbows stuck out from his ears, and his head was sunk
beneath his shoulders. Archibald Mackenzie was delighted beyond measure
at his figure, and pointed him out to his acquaintance with all possible
expedition. The laugh and the whisper circulated with rapidity. Henry,
who was dancing, did not perceive what was going on till his partner said
to him, "Pray, who is that strange mortal?"

"My friend," cried Henry: "will you excuse me for one instant?" And he
ran up to Forester, and roused him from his singular attitude. "He is,"
continued Henry, as he returned to his partner, "an excellent young man,
and he has superior abilities; we must not quarrel with him for trifles."

With what different eyes different people behold the same objects! Whilst
Forester had been stopping his ears, Dr. Campbell, who had more of the
nature of the laughing than of the weeping philosopher, had found much
benevolent pleasure in contemplating the festive scene. Not that any
folly or ridicule escaped his keen penetration; but he saw every thing
with an indulgent eye, and, if he laughed, laughed in such a manner, that
even those who were the objects of his pleasantry could scarcely have
forborne to sympathize in his mirth. Folly, he thought, could be as