As the ancients agree, brother Toby , said my father, that there are two different and distinct kinds of love , according to the different parts which are affected by it—the Brain or Liver⸺I think when a man is in love, it behoves him a little to consider which of the two he is fallen into.
What signifies it, brother Shandy , replied my uncle Toby , which of the two it is, provided it will but make a man marry, and love his wife, and get a few children?
⸺A few children! cried my father, rising out of his chair, and looking full in my mother’s face, as he forced his way betwixt hers and doctor Slop’s —a few children! cried my father, repeating my uncle Toby’s words as he walk’d to and fro⸺
⸺Not, my dear brother Toby , cried my father, recovering himself all at once, and coming close up to the back of my uncle Toby’s chair—not that I should be sorry hadst thou a score—on the contrary, I should rejoice—and be as kind, Toby , to every one of them as a father—
My uncle Toby stole his hand unperceived behind his chair, to give my father’s a squeeze⸺
⸺Nay, moreover, continued he, keeping hold of my uncle Toby’s hand—so much dost thou possess, my dear Toby , of the milk of human nature, and so little of its asperities—’tis piteous the world is not peopled by creatures which resemble thee; and was I an Asiatic monarch, added my father, heating himself with his new project—I would oblige thee, provided it would not impair thy strength—or dry up thy radical moisture too fast—or weaken thy memory or fancy, brother Toby , which these gymnics inordinately taken are apt to do—else, dear Toby , I