esire to know."

Bob hereupon pointed to the cook; who, it will be remembered, was
present as one of his train-bearers. "I believe I must say, sire,
that this is the man. He fed us all; and without food, and that in
considerable quantities, too, nothing could have been done."

The little blackguard was rewarded for his impudence, by exclamations
of pleasure from all around him.--"It was so clever a distinction,"--"it
showed so much reflection,"--"it was so very profound,"--"it proved
how much he regarded the base of society;"--in short, "it was evident
England would be a happy country, when he should be called to the
throne!" In the meantime the cook was required to come forth, and kneel
before his majesty.

"What is your name?" whispered the lord of the bed-chamber, who now
spoke for himself.

"Jack Coppers, your honor."

The lord of the bed-chamber made a communication to his majesty, when
the sovereign turned round by proxy, with his back towards Jack, and,
giving him the accolade with his tail, he bade him rise, as "Sir Jack
Coppers."

I was a silent, an admiring, an astounded witness of this act of gross
and flagrant injustice. Some one pulled me aside, and then I recognized
the voice of Brigadier Downright.

"You think that honors have alighted where they are least due. You think
that the saying of your crown prince has more smartness than truth,
more malice than honesty. You think that the court has judged on false
principles, and acted on an impulse rather than on reason; that the
king has consulted his own ease in affecting to do justice; that the
courtiers have paid a homage to their master, in affecting to pay a
homage to merit; and that nothing in this life is pure or free from the
taint of falsehood, selfishness, or vanity. Alas! this is too much the
case with us monikins, I must allow; though, doubtless, among men you
manage a vast deal more cleverly."

CHAPTER XIX. ABOUT THE HUMILITY OF PROFESSIONAL SAINTS, A SUCCESSION
OF TAILS, A BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM, AND OTHER HEAVENLY MATTERS, DIPLOMACY
INCLUDED.

Perceiving that Brigadier Downright had an observant mind, and that
he was altogether superior to the clannish feeling which is so apt to
render a particular species inimical to all others, I asked permission
to cultivate his acquaintance; begging, at the same time, that he would
kindly favor me with such remarks as might be suggested by his superior
wisdom and extensive travels, on any o