“I am surrounded, as I have observed,” said Mr. Venus, placidly, “by the trophies of my art. They are numerous, my stock of human warious is large, the shop is pretty well crammed, and I don’t just now want any more trophies of my art. But I like my art, and I know how to exercise my art.”

“No man better,” assented Mr. Wegg, with a somewhat staggered air.

“There’s the miscellanies of several human specimens,” said Venus, “(though you mightn’t think it) in the box on which you’re sitting. There’s the miscellanies of several human specimens, in the lovely compo-one behind the door”; with a nod towards the French gentleman. “It still wants a pair of arms. I don’t say that I’m in any hurry for ’em.”

“You must be wandering in your mind, partner,” Silas remonstrated.