detected the theft, and tipped her the wink with a particular
slyness of countenance, as if he had said, with a sneer, "Ay, ay,
that is what you must all come to." But these instances of reflection
in a babe nine months old are so incredible, that I look upon them
as observations, founded upon imaginary recollection, when he was
in a more advanced age, and his peculiarities of temper became
much more remarkable; of a piece with the ingenious discoveries
of those sagacious observers, who can discern something evidently
characteristic in the features of any noted personage whose character
they have previously heard explained. Yet without pretending
to specify at what period of his childhood this singularity first
appeared, I can with great truth declare, that when he first attracted
the notice and affection of his uncle, it was plainly perceivable.

One would imagine he had marked out the commodore as a proper object
of ridicule, for almost all his little childish satire was leveled
against him. I will not deny that he might have been influenced
in this particular by the example and instruction of Mr. Hatchway,
who delighted in superintending the first essays of his genius. As
the gout had taken up its residence in Mr. Trunnion's great toe,
from whence it never removed, no not for a day, little Perry took
great pleasure in treading by accident on this infirm member;
and when his uncle, incensed by the pain, used to damn him for a
hell-begotten brat, he would appease him in a twinkling, by returning
the curse with equal emphasis, and asking what was the matter with
old Hannibal Tough? an appellation by which the lieutenant had
taught him to distinguish this grim commander.

Neither was this the only experiment he tried upon the patience of
the commodore, with whose nose he used to take indecent freedoms,