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THE BATTLE OF LIFE. 259
"It's this evil-inclined blue bag," said Clemency, "always tripping up somebody !"
" With a purpose and intention in it, I was saying," resumed Snitchey, " that commands respect. Life a farce, Doctor Jeddler ? With law in it?"
The Doctor laughed, and looked at Alfred.
" Granted, if you please, that war is foolish," said Snitchey. "There we agree. For example. Here's a smiling country," pointing it out with his fork, " once overrun by soldiers—trespassers every man of 'em—and laid waste by fire and sword. He, he, he ! The idea of any man exposing himself, voluntarily, to fire and sword ! Stupid, wasteful, positively ridiculous; you laugh at your fellow-creatures, you know, when you think of it! But take this smiling country as it stands. Think of the laws appertaining to real property; to the bequest and devise of real property; to the mortgage and redemption of real property; to leasehold, freehold, and copyhold estate; think," said Mr. Snitchey, with such great emotion that he actually smacked his lips, " of the complicated laws relating to title and proof of title, with all the contradictory precedents and numerous Acts of Parliament connected with them ; think of the infinite number of ingenious and interminable Chancery suits, to which this pleasant prospect may give rise;—and acknowledge, Doctor Jeddler, that there is a green spot in the scheme about us! I believe," said Mr. Snitchey, looking at his partner, " that I speak for Self and Craggs ?"
Mr. Craggs having signified assent, Mr. Snitchey, somewhat freshened by his recent eloquence, observed that he would take a little more beef, and another cup of tea.
" I don't stand up for life in general," he added, rubbing his hands and chuckling, "it's full of folly; full of something worse. Professions of trust, and confidence, and unselfishness, and all that. Bah, bah, bah ! We see what they're worth. But you mustn't laugh at life; you've got a game to play; a very serious game indeed ! Everybody's playing against you, you know; and you're playing against them. Oh ! it's a very interesting thing. There are deep moves upon the board. You must only laugh, Doctor Jeddler, when you win; and then not much. He, he, he ! And then not much," repeated Snitchey, rolling his head and winking his eye ; as if he would have added, " you may do this instead!"
"Well, Alfred !" cried the Doctor, "what do you say now?"
" I say, Sir," replied Alfred, " that the greatest favour you could do me, and yourself too I am inclined to think, would be to try sometimes to forget this battle-field, and others like it, in that broader battle-field of Life, on which the sun looks every day." |
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