When a man gives himself up to the government of a ruling passion, --or, in other words, when his HOBBY-HORSE grows headstrong, ----farewel cool reason and fair discretion!
My uncle _Toby's_ wound was near well, and as soon as the surgeon recovered his surprize, and could get leave to say as much----he told him, 'twas just beginning to incarnate; and that if no fresh exfoliation happened, which there was no sign of, --it would be dried up in five or six weeks. The sound of as many Olympiads, twelve hours before, would have conveyed an idea of shorter duration to my uncle _Toby's_ mind. ----The succession of his ideas was now rapid, --he broiled with impatience to put his design in execution; ----and so, without consulting farther with any soul living, --which, by the bye, I think is right, when you are predetermined to take no one soul's advice, ----he privately ordered _Trim_, his man, to pack up a bundle of lint and dressings, and hire a chariot-and-four to be at the door exactly by twelve o'clock that day, when he knew my father would be upon 'Change. ----So leaving a banknote upon the table for the surgeon's care of him, and a letter of tender thanks for his brother's--he packed up his maps, his books of fortification, his instruments, &c., and by the help of a crutch on one side, and _Trim_ on the other, ----my uncle _Toby_ embarked for _Shandy-Hall_.
The reason, or rather the rise of this sudden demigration was as follows:
The table in my uncle _Toby's_ room, and at which, the night before this change happened, he was sitting with his maps, &c., about him--being somewhat of the smallest, for that infinity of great and small instruments of knowledge which usually lay crowded upon it--he had the accident, in reaching over for his tobacco-box, to throw down his compasses, and in stooping to take the compasses up, with his sleeve he threw down his case of instruments and snuffers; --and as the dice took a run against him, in his endeavouring to catch the snuffers in falling, ----he thrust Monsieur _Blondel_ off the table, and Count _de Pagan_ o'top of him.
'Twas to no purpose for a man, lame as my uncle _Toby_ was, to think of redressing these evils by himself, --he rung his bell for his man _Trim_; ------_Trim_, quoth my uncle _Toby_, prithee see what confusion I have here been making --I must have some better contrivance, _Trim_. ----Can'st not thou take my rule, and measure the length and breadth of this table, and then go and bespeak me one as big again? ----Yes, an' please your Honour, replied _Trim_, making a bow; but I hope your Honour will be soon well enough to get down to your country-seat, where, --as your Honour takes so much pleasure in fortification, we could manage this matter to a T.

When a man gives himself up to a ruling passion, - or, in other words, when his Hobby-Horse grows headstrong - farewell cool reason!
My uncle Toby's wound was nearly well, and the surgeon told him that if no fresh exfoliation happened, it would be dried up in five or six weeks.
But my uncle Toby now broiled with impatience to carry out his plan; this seemed too long - and so, without consulting with anyone, which, by the bye, I think is right, if you are determined to take no one's advice, - he privately ordered Trim, his servant, to pack lint and dressings, and hire a carriage to be at the door by twelve o'clock that day. Leaving a banknote upon the table for the surgeon's care, and a letter of tender thanks for his brother's, he packed up his maps, his books of fortification, &c., and by the help of a crutch on one side, and Trim on the other, my uncle Toby embarked for Shandy-Hall. The reason was as follows:
The night before this change happened, my uncle Toby was sitting at his table with his maps, &c., crowded about him; - in reaching for his tobacco-box, he accidentally threw down his compasses, and in stooping to take the compasses up, he knocked over his case of instruments; and in trying to catch the case, he thrust Monsieur Blondel's volume off the table, and Count de Pagan o'top of him.
My uncle Toby rung his bell for his man Trim.
'Trim,' quoth he, 'see what confusion I have been making - I must have a better table, Trim. Can'st thou order me one twice as big?'
'Yes, your Honour,' replied Trim; 'but I hope your Honour will be soon be well enough to get down to your country-seat, where we could manage this matter to a T.'
