-is it? Well, this is certainly the way with us monikins. Our
Wriggles are ashamed of exactly that portion of our population of which
they have most reason to be proud, viz., the mass; and they are proud
of precisely that portion of which they have most reason to be ashamed,
viz., themselves. But plenty of opportunities will offer to look further
into this; and we will now hasten to the inn."

As the brigadier appeared to chafe under the subject, I remained silent,
following him as fast as I could, but keeping my eyes open, the reader
may be very sure, as we went along. There was one peculiarity I could
not but remark in this singular town. It was this:--all the houses were
smeared over with some colored earth, and then, after all this pains had
been taken to cover the material, an artist was employed to make white
marks around every separate particle of the fabric (and they were in
millions), which ingenious particularity gives the dwellings a most
agreeable air of detail, imparting to the architecture, in general, a
sublimity that is based on the multiplication table. If to this be added
the black of the chevaux-de-frise, the white of the entrance-ladders,
and a sort of standing-collar to the whole, immediately under the eves,
of some very dazzling hue, the effect is not unlike that of a platoon of
drummers, in scarlet coats, cotton lace, and cuffs and capes of white.
What renders the similitude more striking, is the fact that no two of
the same plantoon appear to be exactly of a size, as is very apt to be
the case with your votaries in military music.

CHAPTER XXV. A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE, A FUNDAMENTAL LAW, AND A
FUNDAMENTAL ERROR.

The people of Leaplow are remarkable for the deliberation of their acts,
the moderation of their views, and the accumulation of their wisdom. As
a matter of course such a people is never in an indecent haste. Although
I have now been legally naturalized, and regularly elected to the great
council fully twenty-four hours, three entire days were allowed for the
study of the institutions, and to become acquainted with the genius of
a nation, who, according to their own account of the matter, have no
parallel in heaven or earth, or in the waters under the earth, before I
was called upon to exercise my novel and important functions. I profited
by the delay and shall seize a favorable moment to make the reader
acquainted with some of my acquisitions on this interesting topic.

The i