illegitimate children, is moreover a bankrupt without character, and
that he was obliged to emigrate in consequence of having stolen a
sheep."

"Sworn, etc."

"(Signed,) PETER VERACIOUS."

I naturally felt a little indignant at this impudent statement, and was
about to call upon the first passer-by for the address of Mr. Veracious,
when the skirts of my skin were seized by one of the Horizontal
nominating committee, and I was covered with congratulations on my being
happily elected. Success is an admirable plaster for all wounds, and I
really forgot to have the affair of the sheep and of the illegitimate
children inquired into; although I still protest, that had fortune been
less propitious, the rascal who promulgated this calumny would have been
made to smart for his temerity. In less than five minutes it was the
turn of Captain Poke. He, too, was congratulated in due form; for, as
it appeared, the "immigrant interest," as Noah termed it, had actually
carried a candidate on each of the two great opposing tickets. Thus
far, all was well; for, after sharing his mess so long, I had not the
smallest objection to sit in the Leaplow parliament with the worthy
sealer; but our mutual surprise, and I believe I might add, indignation,
were a good deal excited, by shortly encountering a walking notice,
which contained a programme of the proceedings to be observed at the
"Reception of the Honorable Robert Smut."

It would seem that the Horizontals and the Perpendiculars had made
so many spurious and mystified ballots, in order to propitiate the
Tangents, and to cheat each other, that this young blackguard
actually stood at the head of the poll!--a political phenomenon, as I
subsequently discovered, however, by no means of rare occurrence in the
Leaplow history of the periodical selection of the wisest and best.

There was certainly an accumulation of interest on arriving in a strange
land, to find one's self both extolled and vituperated on most of the
corners in its capital, and to be elected to its parliament, all in the
same day. Still, I did not permit myself to be either so much elated or
so much depressed, as not to have all my eyes about me, in order to get
as correctly as possible, and as quickly as possible, some insight into
the characters, tastes, habits, wishes, and wants of my constituents.

I have already declared that it is my intention to dwell chiefly on the
moral excellences and peculiarities of the people