ngly peculiar. It is true
that my modesty had been unexpectedly spared, by the very ingenious turn
Dr. Reasono had given to the history of our connection with each
other; but I could not see that I had gained any other advantage by the
expedient. All my own species had, in a sense, cut me; and I was obliged
to turn despondingly, and not without humiliation, towards the inn,
where the banquet ordered by Mr. Poke waited our appearance.

I had reached the great square, when a tap on the knee drew my attention
to one at my side. The applicant for notice was a monikin, who had all
the physical peculiarities of a subject of Leaphigh, and yet, who was
to be distinguished from most of the inhabitants of that country, by
a longer and less cultivated nap to his natural garment, greater
shrewdness about the expression of the eyes and the mouth, a general
air of business, and, for a novelty, a bob-cauda. He was accompanied by
positively the least well-favored being of the species I had yet seen. I
was addressed by the former.

"Good morning, Sir John Goldencalf," he commenced, with a sort of jerk,
that I afterwards learned was meant for a diplomatic salutation; "you
have not met with the very best treatment to-day, and I have been
waiting for a good opportunity to make my condolences, and to offer my
services."

"Sir, you are only too good. I do feel a little wronged, and, I must
say, sympathy is most grateful to my feelings. You will, however, allow
me to express my surprise at your being acquainted with my real name, as
well as with my misfortunes?"

"Why, sir, to own the truth, I belong to an examining people. The
population is very much scattered in my country, and we have fallen into
a practice of inquiry that is very natural to such a state of things. I
think you must have observed that in passing along a common highway, you
rarely meet another without a nod; while thousands are met in a crowded
street without even a glance of the eye. We develop this principle, sir;
and never let any fact escape us for the want of a laudable curiosity."

"You are not a subject of Leaphigh, then?"

"God forbid! No, sir, I am a citizen of Leaplow, a great and a glorious
republic that lies three days' sail from this island; a new nation,
which is in the enjoyment of all the advantages of youth and vigor,
and which is a perfect miracle for the boldness of its conceptions, the
purity of its institutions, and its sacred respect for the right