The three consist of a Romance, an Epic in twelve books, and an Inquiry into the Human Mind, in three volumes.

I, Paul, will tickle the Romance; you this very evening shall plaster the Epic, and slash the Inquiry!" "Heavens, Mr.MacGrawler!" cried Paul, in consternation, "what do you mean?
I should never be able to read an epic in twelve books, and I should fall asleep in the first page of the Inquiry.

No, no, leave me the Romance, and take the other two under your own protection!" Although great genius is always benevolent, Mr.MacGrawler could not restrain a smile of ineffable contempt at the simplicity of his pupil.
"Know, young gentleman," said he, solemnly, "that the Romance in question must be tickled; it is not given to raw beginners to conquer that great mystery of our science." "Before we proceed further, explain the words of the art," said Paul, impatiently.
"Listen, then," rejoined MacGrawler; and as he spoke, the candle cast an awful glimmering on his countenance.

"To slash is, speaking grammatically, to employ the accusative, or accusing case; you must cut up your book right and left, top and bottom, root and branch.

To plaster a book is to employ the dative, or giving case; and you must bestow on the work all the superlatives in the language,--you must lay on your praise thick and thin, and not leave a crevice untrowelled.