u are safe at an anchor, I wish to God I were as fast
moored.' Nevertheless, conscious of his disabled heel, he would not
venture to try the experiment that had succeeded so well with
Hatchway, but resolved to stick as close as possible to his
horse's back, until Providence should interpose in his behalf. With
this view he dropped his whip, and with his right hand laid fast
hold of the pommel, contracting every muscle of his body to secure
himself in the seat, and grinning most formidably in consequence of
this exertion. In this attitude he was hurried on a considerable
way, when all of a sudden his view was comforted by a five-bar gate
that appeared before him, as he never doubted that there the career
of his hunter must necessarily end. But alas! he reckoned without
his host. Far from halting at this obstruction, the horse sprang
over with amazing agility, to the utter confusion and disorder of
his owner, who lost his hat and periwig in the leap, and now began
to think in good earnest that he was actually mounted on the back
of the devil. He recommended himself to God, his reflection forsook
him, his eyesight and all his other senses failed, he quitted the
reins, and fastening by instinct on the main, was in this condition
conveyed into the midst of the sportsmen, who were astonished at
the sight of such an apparition. Neither was their surprise to be
wondered at, if we reflect on the figure that presented itself to
their view."

Smollett delights in practical jokes, fighting, and violent language.
Sometimes we are almost in danger of the dagger. He rejoices in fun, in
such scenes as that of Random fighting Captain Weasel with the
roasting-spit, and what he says in "Humphrey Clinker" of the ladies, at
a party in Bath, might better apply to his own dialogues. "Some cried,
some swore, and the tropes and figures of Billingsgate were used without
reserve in all their native rest and flavour."

CHAPTER VIII.

Cowper--Lady Austen's Influence--"John Gilpin"--"The
Task"--Goldsmith--"The Citizen of the World"--Humorous
Poems--Quacks--Baron Muenchausen.

Humour seems to have an especial claim upon us in connection with the
name of Cowper, inasmuch as but for it we should never have become
acquainted with his writings. Many as are the charms of his works, they
would never have become popularly known witho