"I
caught the trick from you."
Perhaps she is right. I have noticed that people are slow in
their appreciation of my witticisms. I must really be a very
dull dog. If she were not fond of me I don't see how a bright
woman like Judith could tolerate my society for half an hour.
I don't think I contribute to the world's humour; but the world's
humour contributes much to my own entertainment, and things which
appear amusing to me do not appeal, when I point them out, to the
risible faculties of another. Every individual, I suppose, like
every civilisation, must have his own standard of humour. If I
were a Roman (instead of an English) Epicurean, I should have
died with laughter at the sight of a fat Christian martyr
scudding round the arena while chased by a hungry lion. At
present I should faint with horror. Indeed, I always feel
tainted with savagery and enjoying a vicarious lust, when I smile
at the oft-repeated tale of the poor tiger in Dore's picture that
hadn't got a Christian. On the other hand, it tickles me
immensely to behold a plethoric commonplace Briton roar himself
purple with impassioned platitude at a political meeting; but I
perceive that all my neighbours take him with the utmost
seriousness.
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