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Woodensconce also came down in the same conveyance。 The
distinguished gentleman was fast asleep on his arrival； and I am
informed by the guard that he had been so the whole way。 He was；
no doubt； preparing for his approaching fatigues； but what gigantic
visions must those be that flit through the brain of such a man
when his body is in a state of torpidity！
'The influx of visitors increases every moment。 I am told （I know
not how truly） that two post…chaises have arrived at the Original
Pig within the last half…hour； and I myself observed a wheelbarrow；
containing three carpet bags and a bundle； entering the yard of the
Pig and Tinder…box no longer ago than five minutes since。 The
people are still quietly pursuing their ordinary occupations； but
there is a wildness in their eyes； and an unwonted rigidity in the
muscles of their countenances； which shows to the observant
spectator that their expectations are strained to the very utmost
pitch。 I fear； unless some very extraordinary arrivals take place
to…night； that consequences may arise from this popular ferment；
which every man of sense and feeling would deplore。'
'TWENTY MINUTES PAST SIX。
'I have just heard that the boy who fell through the pastrycook's
window last night has died of the fright。 He was suddenly called
upon to pay three and sixpence for the damage done； and his
constitution； it seems； was not strong enough to bear up against
the shock。 The inquest； it is said； will be held to…morrow。'
'THREE…QUARTERS PART SEVEN。
'Professors Muff and Nogo have just driven up to the hotel door；
they at once ordered dinner with great condescension。 We are all
very much delighted with the urbanity of their manners； and the
ease with which they adapt themselves to the forms and ceremonies
of ordinary life。 Immediately on their arrival they sent for the
head waiter； and privately requested him to purchase a live dog； …
as cheap a one as he could meet with； … and to send him up after
dinner； with a pie…board； a knife and fork； and a clean plate。 It
is conjectured that some experiments will be tried upon the dog to…
night； if any particulars should transpire； I will forward them by
express。'
'HALF…PAST EIGHT。
'The animal has been procured。 He is a pug…dog； of rather
intelligent appearance； in good condition； and with very short
legs。 He has been tied to a curtain…peg in a dark room； and is
howling dreadfully。'
'TEN MINUTES TO NINE。
'The dog has just been rung for。 With an instinct which would
appear almost the result of reason； the sagacious animal seized the
waiter by the calf of the leg when he approached to take him； and
made a desperate； though ineffectual resistance。 I have not been
able to procure admission to the apartment occupied by the
scientific gentlemen； but； judging from the sounds which reached my
ears when I stood upon the landing…place outside the door； just
now； I should be disposed to say that the dog had retreated
growling beneath some article of furniture； and was keeping the
professors at bay。 This conjecture is confirmed by the testimony
of the ostler； who； after peeping through the keyhole； assures me
that he distinctly saw Professor Nogo on his knees； holding forth a
small bottle of prussic acid； to which the animal； who was crouched
beneath an arm…chair； obstinately declined to smell。 You cannot
imagine the feverish state of irritation we are in； lest the
interests of science should be sacrificed to the prejudices of a
brute creature； who is not endowed with sufficient sense to foresee
the incalculable benefits which the whole human race may derive
from so very slight a concession on his part。'
'NINE O'CLOCK。
'The dog's tail and ears have been sent down…stairs to be washed；
from which circumstance we infer that the animal is no more。 His
forelegs have been delivered to the boots to be brushed； which
strengthens the supposition。'
'HALF AFTER TEN。
'My feelings are so overpowered by what has taken place in the
course of the last hour and a half； that I have scarcely strength
to detail the rapid succession of events which have quite
bewildered all those who are cognizant of their occurrence。 It
appears that the pug…dog mentioned in my last was surreptitiously
obtained； … stolen； in fact； … by some person attached to the
stable department； from an unmarried lady resident in this town。
Frantic on discovering the loss of her favourite； the lady rushed
distractedly into the street； calling in the most heart…rending and
pathetic manner upon the passengers to restore her； her Augustus； …
for so the deceased was named； in affectionate remembrance of a
former lover of his mistress； to whom he bore a striking personal
resemblance； which renders the circumstances additionally
affecting。 I am not yet in a condition to inform you what
circumstance induced the bereaved lady to direct her steps to the
hotel which had witnessed the last struggles of her PROTEGE。 I can
only state that she arrived there； at the very instant when his
detached members were passing through the passage on a small tray。
Her shrieks still reverberate in my ears！ I grieve to say that the
expressive features of Professor Muff were much scratched and
lacerated by the injured lady； and that Professor Nogo； besides
sustaining several severe bites； has lost some handfuls of hair
from the same cause。 It must be some consolation to these
gentlemen to know that their ardent attachment to scientific
pursuits has alone occasioned these unpleasant consequences； for
which the sympathy of a grateful country will sufficiently reward
them。 The unfortunate lady remains at the Pig and Tinder…box； and
up to this time is reported in a very precarious state。
'I need scarcely tell you that this unlooked…for catastrophe has
cast a damp and gloom upon us in the midst of our exhilaration；
natural in any case； but greatly enhanced in this； by the amiable
qualities of the deceased animal； who appears to have been much and
deservedly respected by the whole of his acquaintance。'
'TWELVE O'CLOCK。
'I take the last opportunity before sealing my parcel to inform you
that the boy who fell through the pastrycook's window is not dead；
as was universally believed； but alive and well。 The report
appears to have had its origin in his mysterious disappearance。 He
was found half an hour since on the premises of a sweet…stuff
maker； where a raffle had been announced for a second…hand seal…
skin cap and a tambourine； and where … a sufficient number of
members not having been obtained at first … he had patiently waited
until the list was completed。 This fortunate discovery has in some
degree restored our gaiety and cheerfulness。 It is proposed to get
up a subscription for him without delay。
'Everybody is nervously anxious to see what to…morrow will bring
forth。 If any one should arrive in the course of the night； I have