However--Aldobrand arrived in the ordinary dress, as we would say, of a journeyman printer--the same in which he had traversed Germany, and conversed with Luther, Melancthon, Erasmus, and other learned men, who disdained not his knowledge, and the power he possessed of diffusing it, though hid under a garb so homely.

But what appeared respectable in the eyes of wisdom, religion, learning, and philosophy, seemed mean, as might readily be supposed, and disgusting, in those of silly and affected womankind, and Bertha refused to acknowledge her former lover, in the torn doublet, skin cap, clouted shoes, and leathern apron, of a travelling handicraftsman or mechanic.
He claimed his privilege, however, of being admitted to a trial; and when the rest of the suitors had either declined the contest, or made such work as the devil could not read if his pardon depended on it, all eyes were bent on the stranger.

Aldobrand stepped gracefully forward, arranged the types without omission of a single letter, hyphen, or comma, imposed them without deranging a single space, and pulled off the first proof as clear and free from errors, as if it had been a triple revise! All applauded the worthy successor of the immortal Faustus--the blushing maiden acknowledged her error in trusting to the eye more than the intellect--and the elected bridegroom thenceforward chose for his impress or device the appropriate words, Skill wins favour.'-- But what is the matter with you ?--you are in a brown study! Come, I told you this was but trumpery conversation for thinking people--and now I have my hand on the Ossianic Controversy." "I beg your pardon," said Lovel; "I am going to appear very silly and changeable in your eyes, Mr.Oldbuck--but you seemed to think Sir Arthur might in civility expect a call from me ?" "Psha! psha! I can make your apology; and if you must leave us so soon as you say, what signifies how you stand in his honours good graces ?--And I warn you that the Essay on Castrametation is something prolix, and will occupy the time we can spare after dinner, so you may lose the Ossianic Controversy if we do not dedicate this morning to it.

We will go out to my ever-green bower, my sacred holly-tree yonder, and have it _fronde super viridi_.
Sing heigh-ho! heigh-ho! for the green holly, Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
But, egad," continued the old gentleman, "when I look closer at you, I begin to think you may be of a different opinion.

Amen with all my heart--I quarrel with no man's hobby, if he does not run it a tilt against mine, and if he does--let him beware his eyes.