Whatever degree of small merit the act of benignity in favour of the midwife might justly claim, or in whom that claim truly rested, --at first sight seems not very material to this history; ----certain however it was, that the gentlewoman, the parson's wife, did run away at that time with the whole of it: And yet, for my life, I cannot help thinking but that the parson himself, though he had not the good fortune to hit upon the design first, --yet, as he heartily concurred in it the moment it was laid before him, and as heartily parted with his money to carry it into execution, had a claim to some share of it, --if not to a full half of whatever honour was due to it.
The world at that time was pleased to determine the matter otherwise.
Lay down the book, and I will allow you half a day to give a probable guess at the grounds of this procedure.
Be it known then, that, for about five years before the date of the midwife's licence, of which you have had so circumstantial an account, --the parson we have to do with had made himself a country-talk by a breach of all decorum, which he had committed against himself, his station, and his office; --and that was in never appearing better, or otherwise mounted, than upon a lean, sorry, jack-ass of a horse, value about one pound fifteen shillings; who, to shorten all description of him, was full brother to _Rosinante_, as far as similitude congenial could make him; for he answered his description to a hair-breadth in every thing, --except that I do not remember 'tis any where said, that _Rosinante_ was broken-winded; and that, moreover, _Rosinante_, as is the happiness of most _Spanish_ horses, fat or lean, --was undoubtedly a horse at all points.
I know very well that the HERO'S horse was a horse of chaste deportment, which may have given grounds for the contrary opinion: But it is as certain at the same time, that _Rosinante's_ continency (as may be demonstrated from the adventure of the _Yanguesian_ carriers) proceeded from no bodily defect or cause whatsoever, but from the temperance and orderly current of his blood. --And let me tell you, Madam, there is a great deal of very good chastity in the world, in behalf of which you could not say more for your life.
Let that be as it may, as my purpose is to do extra justice to every creature brought upon the stage of this dramatic work, --I could not stifle this distinction in favour of Don _Quixote's_ horse; ----in all other points, the parson's horse, I say, was just such another, --for he was as lean, and as lank, and as sorry a jade, as HUMILITY herself could have bestrided.
In the estimation of here and there a man of weak judgment, it was greatly in the parson's power to have helped the figure of this horse of his, --for he was master of a very handsome demi-peak'd saddle, quilted on the seat with green plush, garnished with a double row of silver-headed studs, and a noble pair of shining brass stirrups, with a housing altogether suitable, of grey superfine cloth, with an edging of black lace, terminating in a deep, black, silk fringe, _poudr d'or_, --all which he had purchased in the pride and prime of his life, together with a grand embossed bridle, ornamented at all points as it should be. ----But not caring to banter his beast, he had hung all these up behind his study door: --and, in lieu of them, had seriously befitted him with just such a bridle and such a saddle, as the figure and value of such a steed might well and truly deserve.

Whatever merit that benign act to the midwife might have, at first sight seems not very relevant to this history; it was certain, however, that the parson's wife gained all of it. And yet I cannot help thinking that the parson himself - though he did not hit upon the idea, yet heartily agreed with it, and as heartily parted with his money to see it carried out - had a claim to some share of the honour.
The world at that time was pleased to decide otherwise.
Lay down the book, and I will allow you half a day to guess at the reason for this.
Be it known then, that about five years before the date of the midwife's licence, this very parson had made himself the talk of the country by a breach of all decorum - which he had committed by appearing mounted upon a lean, sorry, jack-ass of a horse, value about one pound fifteen shillings; who was full brother to Rosinante, Don Quixote's old nag. He matched his description in everything, except that I do not remember that Rosinante was broken-winded; and, moreover, Rosinante was undoubtedly a horse at all points. The parson's horse was as lean, and as lank, and as sorry a jade, as Humility herself could have ridden.
Now, the parson owned a very handsome demi-peaked saddle, quilted with green plush, garnished with a double row of silver-headed studs, and a noble pair of shining brass stirrups; with a housing of grey superfine cloth, an edging of black lace and a black silk fringe, - all which he had purchased in the pride and prime of his life, together with a grand embossed bridle. But he had hung all these up behind his study door: and, instead, he used just such a bridle and saddle as his steed truly deserved.
