to look out for suthin' to pay port-charges with, to say the
least."

"The idea is not a bad one, friend Poke; but, as we are ignorant of the
state of the market on the other side, it might be well to consult some
inhabitant of the country about the choice of articles. Here is the
Brigadier Downright, whom I have found to be a monikin of experience and
judgment, and if you please, we will first hear what he has to say about
it."

"I dabble very little in merchandise," returned the brigadier; "but,
as a general principle, I should say that no article of Leaphigh
manufacture would command so certain a market in Leaplow as opinions."

"Have you any of these opinions for sale?" I inquired of the broker.

"Plenty of them, sir, and of all qualities--from the very lowest to the
very 'ighest prices--those that may be had for next to nothing, to those
that we think a great deal of ourselves. We always keeps them ready
packed for exportation, and send wast invoices of them, hannually, to
Leaplow in particular. Opinions are harticles that help to sell each
other; and a ship of the tonnage of yours might stow enough, provided
they were properly assorted, to carry all before them for the season."

Expressing a wish to see the packages, we were immediately led into an
adjoining warehouse, where, sure enough, there were goodly lots of
the manufactures in question. I passed along the shelves, reading the
inscriptions of the different packages. Pointing to several bundles
that had "Opinions on Free Trade" written on their labels, I asked the
brigadier what he thought of that article.

"Why, they would have done better, a year or two since, when we were
settling a new tariff; but I should think there would be less demand for
them now."

"You are quite right, sir," added the broker; "we did send large
invoices of them to Leaplow formerly, and they were all eagerly bought
up, the moment they arrived. A great many were dyed over again, and
sold as of 'ome manufacture. Most of these harticles are now shipped for
Leapup, with whom we have negotiations that give them a certain value."

"'Opinions on Democracy, and on the Policy of Governments in General': I
should think these would be of no use in Leaplow?"

"Why, sir, they goes pretty much hover the whole world. We sell powers
on 'em on hour own continent, near by, and a great many do go even to
Leaplow; though what they does with 'em there, I never could say, seeing
they are all g