“I declare,” said Mr. Seymour, “the vicar _improves upon acquaintance_.” “It must be acknowledged that you have _puffed_ him into consequence,” observed Mrs. Seymour. The countenance had, after a short time, swelled to ten times its original dimensions: the children deafened Mr. Seymour with their shouts, and the good-humoured clergyman was actually convulsed with laughter. The stop-cock was now turned; the elastic bladder became smaller and smaller, and the features underwent a corresponding diminution, until they once again assumed their original dimensions. “You perceive, my dear Sir, that I make you _look small_ again.” “That is by no means an unusual effect of your jokes,” replied the vicar. “Now, Tom,” said his father, “it is for you to explain the nature of the exhibition you have just witnessed.” Tom proceeded accordingly. “The bladder was highly elastic, and therefore readily yielded to the pressure of the air, and became distended. As soon, however, as the pressure was removed, the air was driven out again with force, and the particles of the Indian rubber returned to their former condition. But I observed one circumstance which I do not understand,” said Tom: “when you first turned the stop-cock, the air rushed out with great violence, and the ball diminished very rapidly; but it gradually slackened, until, at last, the bladder could scarcely be seen to contract.” “I rejoice to find that you were so observant,” said his father: “the effect you noticed depended upon a general law of elasticity. Elastic bodies, in the recovery of their forms from a state of compression, after the removal of the compressing force, exert a greater power at first than at last, so that the whole progress of restoration is a _retarded_ motion.” The vicar, who had listened with profound attention to the explanation which the boy had offered, rushed forward at its conclusion, and clasping him in his arms, declared, that a first-class man of Trinity could not have succeeded better. “But let us now, if you please, Mr. Seymour, suspend our researches: recollect,” said the vicar, “that your birds are, as yet, scarcely fledged; and they will, therefore, make greater advances by short flights frequently repeated, than by uninterrupted progression.” We heartily concur in this opinion, and shall, therefore, terminate the chapter. ----- Footnote 11: Upon this subject, Dr. Brewster’s Introductory Letter on Natural Magic will be read with interest and advantage. Footnote 12: The comparative inelasticity of water will be shown hereafter. Footnote 13: Pollux, lib. ix. c. 7. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VI. _The arrival of Major Snapwell, and the bustle it occasioned.--The Vicar’s interview with the stranger.--A curious discussion.--A word or two addressed to Fox-hunters.--Verbal corruptions.--Some geometrical definitions.--An enigma._