conversation, which was opening a flood
of light upon my political understanding; but just then, a fellow with
the air of a footman entered, carrying a packet tied to the end of his
cauda. Turning round, he presented his burden, with profound respect,
and withdrew. I found that the packet contained three notes with the
following addresses:

"To His Royal Highness Bob, Prince of Wales, etc., etc., etc."

"To My Lord High Admiral Poke, etc., etc., etc."

"To Master Goldencalf, Clerk, etc., etc., etc."

Apologizing to my guests, the seal of my own note was eagerly opened. It
read as follows:

"The Right Honorable the Earl of Chatterino, lord of the bed-chamber in
waiting on his majesty, informs Master John Goldencalf, clerk, that he
is commanded to attend the drawing-room, this evening, when the nuptial
ceremony will take place between the Earl of Chatterino and the Lady
Chatterissa, the first maid of honor to Her Majesty the Queen.

"N. B. The gentlemen will appear full dress."

On explaining the contents of my note to the judge, he informed me that
he was aware of the approaching ceremony, as he had also an invitation
to be present, in his official character. I begged, as a particular
favor, England having no representative at Leaphigh, that he would do
me the honor to present me, in his capacity of a foreign minister.
The envoy made no sort of objection, and I inquired as to the costume
necessary to be observed; as, so far as I had seen, it was good-breeding
at Leaphigh to go naked. The envoy had the goodness to explain, that,
although, in point of mere attire, clothing was extremely offensive to
the people of both Leaphigh and Leaplow, yet, in the former country, no
one could present himself at court, foreign ministers excepted, without
a cauda. As soon as we understood each other on these points, we
separated, with an understanding that I was to be in readiness (together
with my companions, of whose interest I had not been forgetful) to
attend the envoy and the brigadier, when they should call for me, at an
hour that was named.

CHAPTER XVIII. A COURT, A COURT-DRESS, AND A COURTIER--JUSTICE IN
VARIOUS ASPECTS, AS WELL AS HONOR.

My guests were no sooner gone, than I sent for the landlady, to inquire
if any court-dresses were to be had in the neighborhood. She told
me plenty might certainly be had, that were suited to the monikin
dimensions, but she much doubted whether there was a tail in all
Leaphi