eping
into the field, saw a man lying on some rich grass, under the shade of
one of the ashes; he was snoring away at a great rate. Impelled by
curiosity, I fastened the bridle of my horse to the gate, and went up to
the man. He was a genteely-dressed individual, rather corpulent, with
dark features, and seemingly about forty-five. He lay on his back, his
hat slightly over his brow, and at his right hand lay an open book. So
strenuously did he snore that the wind from his nostrils agitated,
perceptibly, a fine cambric frill which he wore at his bosom. I gazed
upon him for some time, expecting that he might awake; but he did not,
but kept on snoring, his breast heaving convulsively. At last, the noise
he made became so terrible, that I felt alarmed for his safety, imagining
that a fit might seize him, and he lose his life whilst asleep. I
therefore exclaimed, 'Sir, sir, awake! you sleep overmuch.' But my voice
failed to rouse him, and he continued snoring as before; whereupon I
touched him slightly with my riding wand, but failing to wake him, I
touched him again more vigorously; whereupon he opened his eyes, and,
probably imagining himself in a dream, closed them again. But I was
determined to arouse him, and cried as loud as I could, 'Sir, sir, pray
sleep no more!' He heard what I said, opened his eyes again, stared at
me with a look of some consciousness, and, half raising himself upon his
elbows, asked me what was the matter. 'I beg your pardon,' said I, 'but
I took the liberty of awaking you because you appeared to be much
disturbed in your sleep--I was fearful, too, that you might catch a fever
from sleeping under a tree.' 'I run no risk,' said the man, 'I often
come and sleep here; and as for being disturbed in my sleep, I felt very
comfortable; I wish you had not awoken me.' 'Well,' said I, 'I beg your
pardon once more. I assure you that what I did was with the best
intention.' 'Oh! pray make no farther apology,' said the individual, 'I
make no doubt that what you did was done kindly; but there's an old
proverb, to the effect, "that you should let sleeping dogs lie,"' he
added, with a smile. Then, getting up, and stretching himself with a
yawn, he took up his book and said, 'I have slept quite long enough, and
it's quite time for me to be going home.' 'Excuse my curiosity,' said I,
'if I inquire what may induce you to come and sleep in this meadow?' 'To
tell you the truth,' answered he, 'I am a ba