to
have an opportunity of seeing my friends, if he would sanction my asking
for leave.

To this he cheerfully consented, adding, that he would extend it upon
his own responsibility. My letter to the Admiralty was therefore
forwarded through him, and was answered in the affirmative. The day
afterwards, I set off by the coach, and once more embraced my dear
sister.

After the first congratulations were over, I inquired about my father;
she replied, that he was so wild that nobody could manage him. That he
was melancholy and irritable at the same time, and was certainly
deranged, fancying himself to be made of various substances, or to be in
a certain trade or capacity. That he generally remained in this way
four or five days, when he went to bed, and slept for twenty-four hours,
or more, and awoke with some new strange imagination in his head. His
language was violent, but that, in other respects, he seemed to be more
afraid of other people than inclined to be mischievous; and that every
day he was getting more strange and ridiculous. He had now just risen
from one of his long naps, and was in his study; that before he had
fallen asleep he had fancied himself to be a carpenter, and had sawed
and chopped up several articles of furniture in the house.

I quitted my sister to see my father, whom I found in his easy-chair. I
was much shocked at his appearance. He was thin and haggard his eyes
were wild, and he remained with his mouth constantly open. A sick
nurse, who had been hired by my sister, was standing by him.

"Pish, pish, pish, pish!" cried my father; "what can you, a stupid old
woman, know about my inside? I tell you the gas is generating fast, and
even now I can hardly keep on my chair. I'm lifting--lifting now; and
if you don't tie me down with cords, I shall go up like a balloon."

"Indeed, sir," replied the woman, "it's only the wind in your stomach.
You'll break it off directly."

"It's inflammable gas, you old hecate!--I know it is. Tell me will you
get a cord, or will you not? Hah! who's that--Peter? Why you've
dropped from the clouds, just in time to see me mount up to them."

"I hope you feel yourself better, sir," said I.

"I fell myself a great deal lighter every minute. Get a cord, Peter,
and tie me to the leg of the table."

I tried to persuade him that he was under a mistake; but it was useless.
He became excessively violent, and said I wished him in heaven. As I
had heard t