very true, Chatterino," put in one of the young monikins, with a
very long, elaborated tail, which he carried nearly perpendicular--"but
what would be even a lawmaker--to say nothing of law-BREAKERS like
ourselves--among men! You should remember, my dear fellow, that a mere
title, or a profession, is not the criterion of true greatness; but that
the prodigy of a village may be a very common monikin in town."

"Poh-poh"--interrupted Lord Chatterino, "thou art ever for refining,
Hightail--Sir John Goldencalf is a very respectable person in the
island of--a--a--a--what do you call that said island of yours,
Goldencalf?--a--a--"

"Great Britain, my lord."

"Ay, Great Breeches sure enough; yet, he is a respectable person--I can
take it upon myself to say, with confidence, a very respectable person
in Great Breeches. I dare say he owns no small portion of the island
himself. How much, now, Sir John, if the truth were told?"

"Only the estate and village of Householder, my lord, with a few
scattered manors here and there."

"Well, that is a very pretty thing, there can be no doubt--then you have
money at use?"

"And who is the debtor?" sneeringly inquired the jack-a-napes Hightail.

"No other, my Lord Hightail, than the realm of Great Britain."

"Exquisite, that, egad! A noble's fortune in the custody of the realm of
a--Greek--a--"

"Great Breeches," interrupted my Lord Chatterino, who, notwithstanding
he swore he was excessively angry with his friend for his obstinate
incredulity, very evidently had to exercise some forbearance to keep
from joining in the general laugh. "It is a very respectable country, I
do protest; and I scarcely remember to have tasted better gooseberries
than they grow in that very island."

"What! have they really gardens, Chatterino?"

"Certainly--after a fashion--and houses, and public conveyances--and
even universities."

"You do not mean to say, certainly, that they have a system!"

"Why, as to system, I believe they are a little at sixes and sevens. I
really can't take it upon myself to say that they have a system."

"Oh, yes, my lord--of a certainty we have one--the social stake system."

"Ask the creature," whispered audibly the filthy coxcomb Hightail, "if
he himself, now, has any income."

"How is it, Sir John--have you an income?"

"Yes, my lord, of one hundred and twelve thousand sovereigns a year."

"Of what?--of what?" demanded two or three voices, with well-bred,
subd