he
brigadier explained that the law of Leaphigh had various peculiarities
on this subject, that I do not remember to have heard of before. Thus,
a monikin could not be born without paying something to the church,
a practice which early initiated him into his duties towards that
important branch of the public welfare; and, even when he died, he left
a fee behind him, for the parson, as an admonition to those who still
existed in the flesh, not to forget their obligations. He added that
this sacred interest was, in short, so rigidly protected, that, whenever
a monikin refused to be plucked for a new clerical or episcopal mantle,
there was a method of fleecing him, by the application of red-hot iron
rods, which generally singed so much of his skin, that he was commonly
willing, in the end, to let the hair-proctors pick and choose at
pleasure.

I confess I was indignant at this picture, and did not hesitate to
stigmatize the practice as barbarous.

"Your indignation is very natural, Sir John, and is just what a stranger
would be likely to feel, when he found mercy, and charity, and brotherly
love, and virtue, and, above all, humility, made the stalking-horses of
pride, selfishness, and avarice. But this is the way with us monikins;
no doubt, men manage better."

CHAPTER XX. A VERY COMMON CASE: OR A GREAT DEAL OF LAW, AND VERY LITTLE
JUSTICE--HEADS AND TAILS, WITH THE DANGERS OF EACH.

I was early with Noah on the following morning. The poor fellow, when it
is remembered that he was about to be tried for a capital offence, in
a foreign country, under novel institutions, and before a jury of a
different species, manifested a surprising degree of fortitude. Still,
the love of life was strong within him, as was apparent by the way in
which he opened the discourse.

"Did you observe how the wind was this morning, Sir John, as you came
in?" the straightforward sealer inquired, with a peculiar interest.

"It is a pleasant gale from the southward."

"Right off shore! If one knew where all them blackguards of rear
admirals and post captains were to be found, I don't think, Sir, John,
that you would care much about paying those fifty thousand promises?"

"My recognizances?--Not in the least, my dear friend, were it not for
our honor. It would scarcely be creditable for the Walrus to sail,
however, leaving an unsettled account of her captain's behind us. What
would they say at Stunin'tun--what would your own consort t