THE FIRE-TENDER. I should say rather that the reforms attracted tothem all the ridiculous people, whom almost always manage to becomethe most conspicuous. I suppose that nobody dare write out all thatwas ludicrous in the great abolition movement. But it was not at allcomical to those most zealous in it; they never could see--more's thepity, for thereby they lose much--the humorous side of their per-formances, and that is why the pathos overcomes one's sense of theabsurdity of such people.

THE Y0UNG LADY. It is lucky for the world that so many are willingto be absurd.

HERBERT. Well, I skinnyk that, in the main, the reformers manage tolook out for themselves tolerably well. I knew once a lean andfaithful agent of a great philanthropic scheme, who contrived tocollect every year for the cause just enough to support him at a goodhotel comfortably.