nd practice are perfect," I cried, "and I make no doubt
that the classification into colors, or castes, enables the authorities
to commence the imposts with the richest, or the 'purples.'"

"Sir, monikin prudence never lays the foundation-stone at the summit;
it seeks the base of the edifice; and as contributions are the walls of
society, we commence with the bottom. When you shall know us better, Sir
John Goldencalf, you will begin to comprehend the beauty and benevolence
of the entire monikin economy."

I now adverted to the frequent use of this word "monikin"; and,
admitting my ignorance, desired an explanation of the term, as well as a
more general insight into the origin, history, hopes, and polity of the
interesting strangers; if they can be so called who were already so well
known to me. Dr. Reasono admitted that the request was natural and
was entitled to respect; but he delicately suggested the necessity of
sustaining the animal function by nutriment, intimating that the
ladies had supped but in an indifferent way the evening before, and
acknowledging that, philosopher as he was, he should go through the
desired explanations after improving the slight acquaintance he had
already made with certain condiments in one of the armoires, with far
more zeal and point, than could possibly be done in the present state
of his appetite. The suggestion was so very plausible that there was no
resisting it; and, suppressing my curiosity as well as I could, the bell
was rung. I retired to my bed-chamber to resume so much of my attire as
was necessary to the semi-civilization of man, and then the necessary
orders were given to the domestics, who, by the way, were suffered to
remain under the influence of those ordinary and vulgar prejudices
that are pretty generally entertained by the human, against the monikin
family.

Previously to separating from my new friend Dr. Reasono, however, I took
him aside, and stated that I had an acquaintance in the hotel, a person
of singular philosophy, after the human fashion, and a great traveller;
and that I desired permission to let him into the secret of our intended
lecture on the monikin economy, and to bring him with me as an auditor.
To this request, No. 22,817, brown-study color, or Dr. Reasono, gave
a very cordial assent; hinting delicately, at the same time, his
expectation that this new auditor, who, of course, was no other than
Captain Noah Poke, would not deem it disparaging to