what deep reverence his portrait would be handled, while unavoidably subjected to the discipline indispensable to obtain from it the engraved copy they prayed for. But one or two of the persons who made occasional oral requisitions upon him in this matter of his engraved portrait, seemed less regardful of the inherent respect due to every man's portrait, much more, to that of a genius so celebrated as Pierre. They did not even seem to remember that the portrait of any man generally receives, and indeed is entitled to more reverence than the original man himself; since one may freely clap a celebrated friend on the shoulder, yet would by no means tweak his nose in his portrait. The reason whereof may be this: that the portrait is better entitled to reverence than the man; inasmuch as nothing belittling can be imagined concerning the portrait, whereas many unavoidably belittling things can be fancied as touching the man.
Upon one occasion, happening suddenly to encounter a literary acquaintance—a joint editor of the 'Captain Kidd Monthly'—who suddenly popped upon him round a corner, Pierre was startled by a rapid—'Good morning, good morning;—just the man I wanted:—come, step round now with me, and have your Daguerreotype taken;—get it engraved then in no time;—want it for the next issue.'
So saying, this chief mate of Captain Kidd seized Pierre's arm, and in the most vigorous manner was walking him off, like an officer a pickpocket, when Pierre civilly said, 'Pray, sir, hold, if you please, I shall do no such thing.'—'Pooh, pooh—must have it—public property—come along—only a door or two now.'—'Public property!' rejoined Pierre, 'that may do very well for the "Captain Kidd Monthly";—it's very Captain Kiddish to say so. But I beg to repeat that I do not intend to accede.'—'Don't? Really?' cried the other,
