, the words continuing gradually to increase in length till we come
to
Salacoharcojotacoherecosaheco.
After reading such flights as the above, we are surprised to find him
despising the jester's bauble--
"Now then to the gentle reader. The reason why I do not wear cap
and bells is this.
"There are male caps of five kinds, which are worn at present in
this kingdom, to wit, the military cap, the collegiate cap, and the
night-cap. Observe, reader, I said _kinds_, that is to say in
scientific language _genera_--for the _species_ and varieties are
numerous, especially in the former genus.
"I am not a soldier, and having long been weaned from Alma Mater,
of course have left off my college cap. The gentlemen of the hunt
would object to my going out with bells on; it would be likely to
frighten their horses; and were I to attempt it, it might involve
me in unpleasant disputes. To my travelling cap the bells would be
an inconvenient appendage; nor would they be a whit more
comfortable upon my night cap. Besides, my wife might object to
them. It follows that if I would wear a cap and bells, I must have
a cap made on purpose. But this would be rendering myself singular;
and of all things, a wise man will avoid ostentatious appearance of
singularity.
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