s of
monikins. I have the honor to be, moreover, the envoy-extraordinary
and minister-plenipotentiary of the republic to the king of Leaphigh,
a nation from which we originally sprung, but which we have left far
behind us in the race of glory and usefulness. I ought to acquaint you
with my name, sir, in return for the advantage I possess on this head,
in relation to yourself."

Hereupon my new acquaintance put into my hand one of his visiting-cards,
which contained as follows:--

General-Commodore-Judge-Colonel PEOPLE'S FRIEND:

Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister-Plenipotentiary from the Republic of
Leaplow, near his Majesty the King of Leaphigh.

"Sir," said I, pulling off my hat with a profound reverence, "I was not
aware to whom I had the honor of speaking. You appear to fill a variety
of employments, and I make no doubt, with equal skill."

"Yes, sir, I believe I am about as good at one of my professions as at
another."

"You will permit me to observe, however, General--a--a Judge--a--a--I
scarcely know, dear sir, which of these titles is the most to your
taste?"

"Use which you please, sir--I began with General, but had got as low as
Colonel before I left home. People's Friend is the only appellation of
which I am at all tenacious. Call me People's Friend, sir, and you may
call me anything else you find most convenient."

"Sir, you are only too obliging. May I venture to ask if you have
really, propria persona, filled all these different stations in life?"

"Certainly, sir--I hope you do not mistake me for an impostor!"

"As far from it as possible.--But a judge and a commodore, for instance,
are characters whose duties are so utterly at variance in human affairs,
that I will allow I find the conjunction, even in a monikin, a little
extraordinary."

"Not at all, sir. I was duly elected to each, served my time out in them
all, and have honorable discharges to show in every instance."

"You must have found some perplexity in the performance of duties so
very different?"

"Ah--I see you have been long enough in Leaphigh to imbibe some of its
prejudices! It is a sad country for prejudice. I got my foot mired in
some of them myself, as soon as it touched the land. Why sir, my card is
an illustration of what we call, in Leaplow, rotation in office."

"Rotation in office!"

"Yes, sir, rotation in office; a system that we invented for our
personal convenience, and which is likely to be firm, as it depends