The Queer Side of Things.
By J. F. Sullivan.
ὁ ἥρως μῦν ἐν τῷ ὀδόντι κοιλῷ εὑρἰσκει
Mark how th' undaunted hero hastes to tear
The lurking quarry from its cavernous lair.
WILL offer no Apology for quoting the above beautiful Words, in View of their notable Aptness to the Subject which I am now to treat.
One Morning lately, as I sat a-musing upon the Worthiness of the good Knight Sir Ogre, who should break in upon me but a certain Fellow of my Acquaintance that has a most acute Nose for the Smelling out of such Things as may be amazing, eccentric, or curious; insomuch so that (seeing his Discoveries have often provided me with the Subject of entertaining Speculations) I hold it in nowise an Impertinence to introduce to my Reader that which this Discoverer introduced to me.
"You shall know," said he, "that I am come to carry you to a Creature of a very curious Interest that I have but now discovered; to wit, a Comic Artist"; whereat I fear me I grimaced upon him with no small Incredulity as on one that would be putting some Pleasantry upon me; whereupon (being most hugely diverted) "Zounds!" said he, "out upon your gaping and glaring, for I had as well spoken of the Sea-Serpent."
"Why," said I, "had you done so, I had been as near taking you seriously, seeing one mythological Monster is as likely a Thing as another."
"Selecting a stout oaken plant."
But perceiving that it was the Humour of this Fellow that I should attend him, I set out with him; yet not without first selecting a stout oaken Plant in the Case this Creature should prove of a dangerous or ferocious Disposition; being, if not fidens animi, at least in utrumque paratus; either certæ occumbere morti, or to safely "contrive this very Thing"—to wit, the Unearthing of this strange Monster.
I was still casting about in my Mind what Manner of Pleasantry my Friend would be making with me; for in no Wise had I ever Conceived that a Being so outrageous
