ou indeed think of us? I shall not let you off with
generalities. You have now been long enough on shore to have formed some
pretty distinct notions about us, and I confess I should be glad to hear
them. Speak the truth with candor--are we not most miserable, forlorn,
disreputable devils, after all?"

I disclaimed the ability to judge of the social condition of a people on
so short an acquaintance; but to this Mr. Wriggle would not listen.
He insisted that I must have been particularly disgusted with the
coarseness and want of refinement in the rabble, as he called the mass,
who, by the way, had already struck me as being relatively much the
better part of the population, so far as I had seen things--more than
commonly decent, quiet, and civil. Mr. Wriggle, also, very earnestly and
piteously begged I would not judge of the whole country by such samples
as I might happen to fall in with in the highways.

"I trust, Mogul, you will have charity to believe we are not all of us
quite so bad as appearances, no doubt, make us in your polished eyes.
These rude beings are spoiled by our jacobinical laws; but we have a
class, sir, that IS different. But, if you will not touch on the people,
how do you like the town, sir? A poor place, no doubt, after your own
ancient capitals?"

"Time will remedy all that, Mr. Wriggle."

"Do you then think we really want time? Now, that house at the corner,
there, to my taste is fit for a gentleman in any country--eh?"

"No doubt, sir, fit for one."

"This is but a poor street in the eyes of you travellers, I know, this
Wide-path of ours; though we think it rather sublime?"

"You do yourself injustice, Mr. Wriggle; though not equal to many of
the---"

"How, sir, the Wide-path not equal to anything on earth! I know several
people who have been in the old world [so the Leaplowers call the
regions of Leaphigh, Leapup, Leapdown, etc.] and they swear there is not
as fine a street in any part of it. I have not had the good fortune to
travel, sir; but, sir, permit me, sir, to say, sir, that some of them,
sir, that HAVE travelled, sir, think, sir, the Wide-path, the most
magnificent public avenue, sir, that their experienced eyes ever beheld,
sir--yes, sir, that their very experienced eyes ever beheld, sir."

"I have seen so little of it, as yet, Mr. Wriggle, that you will pardon
me if I have spoken hastily."

"Oh! no offence--I despise the monikin who is not above local vanities
and provinci