midnight
Thus it seemed about to be with Mr. Titmouse , to whom it chanced in this wise . In early life , while following the humble calling in which he was occupied when first presented to the reader , he used to amuse himself , in his long journeys about the streets , with bundle and yard-measure under his arm , by imitating the cries of cats , the crowing of cocks , the squeaking of pigs , the braying of donkeys , and the yelping of curs ; in which matters he became at length so great a proficient , as to attract the admiring attention of passers-by , and to afford great entertainment to the circles in which he visited . There is probably no man living , though ever so great a fool , who can not do _ something _ or other well ; and Titmouse became a surprising proficient in the arts I have alluded to . He could imitate a _ bluebottle fly _ buzzing about the window , and , lighting upon it , abruptly cease its little noise , and anon flying off again , as suddenly resume it ; -- a _ chicken _ , peering and picking its way cautiously among the growing cabbages ; -- a _ cat _ , at midnight on the moonlit tiles , pouring forth the sorrows of her heart on account of the absence of her inconstant mate ; -- a _ cock _ , suddenly waking out of some horrid dream -- it might be the nightmare -- and in the ecstasy of its fright , crowing as though it would split at once its throat and heart , alarming all mankind ; -- a little _ cur _ , yelping with mingled fear and rage , at the same time , as it were , advancing backwards , in view of a fiendish tomcat , with high-curved back , flaming eyes , and spitting fury . I only wish you had heard Mr. Titmouse on these occasions ; it might , perhaps , even have reminded you of the observation of Dr. Johnson , that genius , is , `` great natural powers accidentally directed . '' Now there was , on a certain night , about three months after Titmouse had been in the House , a kind of pitched battle between the ministry and their formidable opponents ; in which the speakers on each side did their best to prove -LRB- and in the opinion of many , _ successfully _ -RRB- that their opponents were apostates ; utterly worthless ; destitute alike of public and private virtue ; unfit to govern ; and unworthy of the confidence of the country , which aforesaid country was indeed in happy plight in possessing a Parliament unanimous in one thing at least -- viz. its own worthlessness . My Lord Bulfinch rose late on the third evening of the debate -- never had been seen so full a House during the session -- and in a long and able speech contended , -LRB- first , -RRB- that the opposite side were selfish , ignorant , and dishonest ; and -LRB- secondly , -RRB- that Ministers had only imitated their example .