irresistible inclination to touch the bed-post.

I finished dressing and left the room, feeling compelled, however, as I
left it, to touch the lintel of the door. Is it possible, thought I,
that from what I have lately heard the long-forgotten influence should
have possessed me again? but I will not give way to it; so I hurried down
stairs, resisting as I went a certain inclination which I occasionally
felt to touch the rail of the bannister. I was presently upon the gravel
walk before the house: it was indeed a glorious morning. I stood for
some time observing the golden fish disporting in the waters of the pond,
and then strolled about amongst the noble trees of the park; the beauty
and freshness of the morning--for the air had been considerably cooled by
the late storm--soon enabled me to cast away the gloomy ideas which had
previously taken possession of my mind, and, after a stroll of about half
an hour, I returned towards the house in high spirits. It is true that
once I felt very much inclined to go and touch the leaves of a flowery
shrub which I saw at some distance, and had even moved two or three paces
towards it; but, bethinking myself, I manfully resisted the temptation.
"Begone!" I exclaimed, "ye sorceries, in which I formerly trusted--begone
for ever vagaries which I had almost forgotten; good luck is not to be
obtained, or bad averted, by magic touches; besides, two wizards in one
parish would be too much, in all conscience."

I returned to the house, and entered the library; breakfast was laid on
the table, and my friend was standing before the portrait which I have
already said hung above the mantelpiece; so intently was he occupied in
gazing at it that he did not hear me enter, nor was aware of my presence
till I advanced close to him and spoke, when he turned round, and shook
me by the hand.

"What can possibly have induced you to hang that portrait up in your
library? it is a staring likeness, it is true, but it appears to me a
wretched daub."

"Daub as you call it," said my friend, smiling, "I would not part with it
for the best piece of Raphael. For many a happy thought I am indebted to
that picture--it is my principal source of inspiration; when my
imagination flags, as of course it occasionally does, I stare upon those
features, and forthwith strange ideas of fun and drollery begin to flow
into my mind; these I round, amplify, or combine into goodly creations,
and bring forth as I find an