The lieutenant was, by this time, become so polemical, that every
time he opened his mouth out flew a paradox, which he maintained
with all the enthusiasm of altercation; but all his paradoxes
favoured strong of a partiality for his own country. He undertook
to prove that poverty was a blessing to a nation; that oatmeal
was preferable to wheat-flour; and that the worship of Cloacina,
in temples which admitted both sexes, and every rank of votaries
promiscuously, was a filthy species of idolatry that outraged
every idea of delicacy and decorum. I did not so much wonder at
his broaching these doctrines, as at the arguments, equally
whimsical and ingenious, which he adduced in support of them.
In fine, lieutenant Lismahago is a curiosity which I have not yet
sufficiently perused; and therefore I shall be sorry when we lose
his company, though, God knows, there is nothing very amiable in
his manner or disposition. -- As he goes directly to the south-west
division of Scotland, and we proceed in the road to Berwick, we
shall part tomorrow at a place called Feltonbridge; and, I dare
say, this separation will be very grievous to our aunt Mrs
Tabitha, unless she has received some flattering assurance of his
meeting her again.
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