la Vraisemblance n'est pas
toujours du cote la Verite. Il n'avoit que dix neuf ans lorsqu'il
composa Gonopsychanthropologia de Origine Animae humanae. (Les
Enfans celebres, revus & corriges par M. de la Monnoye de l'Academie
Francoise.)) of no more than five inches and a half in length, yet he
grew to that astonishing height in literature, as to write a book with
a title as long as himself--the learned know I mean his
Gonopsychanthropologia, upon the origin of the human soul.

So much for my chapter upon chapters, which I hold to be the best
chapter in my whole work; and take my word, whoever reads it, is full as
well employed, as in picking straws.

Chapter 2.XLVI.

We shall bring all things to rights, said my father, setting his foot
upon the first step from the landing.--This Trismegistus, continued
my father, drawing his leg back and turning to my uncle Toby--was the
greatest (Toby) of all earthly beings--he was the greatest king--the
greatest lawgiver--the greatest philosopher--and the greatest
priest--and engineer--said my uncle Toby.

--In course, said my father.

Chapter 2.XLVII.

--And how does your mistress? cried my father, taking the same step over
again from the landing, and calling to Susannah, whom he saw passing
by the foot of the stairs with a huge pin-cushion in her hand--how does
your mistress? As well, said Susannah, tripping by, but without looking
up, as can be expected.--What a fool am I! said my father, drawing his
leg back again--let things be as they will, brother Toby, 'tis ever the
precise answer--And how is the child, pray?--No answer. And where is
Dr. Slop? added my father, raising his voice aloud, and looking over the
ballusters--Susannah was out of hearing.

Of all the riddles of a married life, said my father, crossing the
landing in order to set his back against the wall, whilst he propounded
it to my uncle Toby--of all the puzzling riddles, said he, in a marriage
state,--of which you may trust me, brother Toby, there are more asses
loads than all Job's stock of asses could have carried--there is not one
that has more intricacies in it than this--that from the very moment
the mistress of the house is brought to bed, every female in it, from my
lady's gentlewoman down to the cinder-wench, becomes an inch taller for
it; and give themselves more airs upon that single inch, than all their
other inches put together.

I think rather, replied my uncle Toby, that 'tis we who