16. A curious instance.
Instances of this kind are so plentiful everywhere, that if I add one more, it is only for the
pleasant oddness of it. It is of a young gentleman, who, having learnt to dance, and that to great perfection, there
happened to stand an old trunk in the room where he learnt. The idea of this remarkable piece of household stuff
had so mixed itself with the turns and steps of all his dances, that though in that chamber he could dance
excellently well, yet it was only whilst that trunk was there; nor could he perform well in any other place, unless
that or some such other trunk had its due position in the room. If this story shall be suspected to be dressed up
with some comical circumstances, a little beyond precise nature, I answer for myself that I had it some years since
from a very sober and worthy man, upon his own knowledge, as I report it; and I dare say there are very few
inquisitive persons who read this, who have not met with accounts, if not examples, of this nature, that may
parallel, or at least justify this.
