MD3PAD 115-117

[Toby G Levy]

        Florinda introduces Mason to her fiance, Mr. Mournival, who
looks like the personification of Death to Mason.  He later turns out to
be the proprietor of the Jenkins' Ear Museum. Mournival mistakes Mason
to be a comedian that Florinda knew in England, but Mason says his
companion Dixon is the comedian.  Dixon accommodates by beginning to tell
a joke as the chapter ends.

        Chapter 12 begins on page 116. Mason and Dixon are meeting with
Maskelyne in a pub on Cock Hill. Dixon has upset Maskelyne by mentioning
the oddball Christopher Smart, and Maskelyne is not happy to talk about
his memories of Smart when they were in college together. Dixon also knew
him when he and Smart were children. Smart had been in the last few
years committed to mental institutions. They squabble about what kind of
environment contributes to madness.  Maskelyne criticizes the fiction
writers in England, and Dixon expresses his appreciation of such
writing, including "The Ghastly Fop."

Toby