its singularity on the score of merit. I must
say, nevertheless, that I was both surprised and a little indignant; but
the sudden and unexpected turn that had been given to the whole affair,
threw me so completely off my centre, that for the life of me, I could
not say a word in my own behalf. To make the matter worse, that monkey
Chatterino nodded to me kindly, as if he would show the spectators that,
on the whole, he thought me a very good sort of fellow!

After the lecture was over, the audience approached to examine us,
taking a great many amiable liberties with our persons, and otherwise
showing that we were deemed curiosities worthy of their study. The
king's cousin, too, was not neglectful of us, but he had it announced to
the assembly that we were entirely welcome to Leaphigh; and that, out of
respect to Dr. Reasono, we were all promoted to the dignity of "honorary
monikins," for the entire period of our stay in the country. He also
caused it to be proclaimed that, if the boys annoyed us in the streets,
they should have their tails curled with birch curling-irons. As for the
Doctor himself, it was proclaimed that, in addition to his former title
of F. U. D. G. E., he was now perferred* to be even M. O. R. E., and
that he was also raised to the dignity of an H. O. A. X., the very
highest honor to which any savant of Leaphigh could attain. [*sic]

At length curiosity was appeased, and we we're permitted to descend
from the tribune; the company ceasing to attend to us, in order to pay
attention to each other. As I had time now to recollect myself, I
did not lose a moment in taking the two mates aside, to present a
proposition that we should go, in a body, before a notary, and enter
a protest against the unaccountable errors into which Dr. Reasono had
permitted himself to fall, whereby the truth was violated, the rights
of persons invaded, humanity dishonored, and the Leaphigh philosophy
misled. I cannot say that my arguments were well received; and I was
compelled to quit the two rear-admirals, and to go in quest of the crew,
with the conviction that the former had been purchased. An appeal to the
reckless, frank, loyal natures of the common seamen, I thought,
would not fail to meet with better success. Here, too, I was fated to
encounter disappointment. The men swore a few hearty oaths, and affirmed
that Leaphigh was a good country. They expected pay and rations, as a
matter of course, in proportion to their new r