ation and glory of the universe. I was
exceedingly glad to hear this, for some of the facts were quite new to
me; a circumstance which shows one can never get correct notions of a
nation except from itself.

These important facts properly digested, we all of us set about our
several duties with a zeal that spoke fairly for our industry and
integrity. Things commenced swimmingly, and it was not long before the
Riddles sent us a resolution for concurrence, by way of opening the
ball. It was conceived in the following terms: "Resolved, that the color
which has hitherto been deemed to be black, is really white."

As this was the first resolution that involved a principle on which
we had been required to vote, I suggested to Noah the propriety of our
going round to the brigadier, and inquiring what might be the drift
of so singular a proposition. Our colleague answered the question with
great good-nature, giving us to understand that the Perpendiculars and
the Horizontals had long been at variance on the mere coloring property
of various important questions, and the real matter involved in the
resolution was not visible. The former had always maintained (by always,
he meant ever since the time they maintained the contrary) the doctrine
of the resolution, and the latter its converse. A majority of the
Riddles, just at this moment, are Perpendiculars; and, as it was now
seen, they had succeeded in getting a vote on their favorite principle.

"According to this account of the matter, Sir John," observed the
captain, "I shall be compelled to maintain that black is white, seeing
that I am in on the Parpendic'lar interest?"

I thought with the captain, and was pleased that my own legislative
debut was not to be characterized by the promulgation of any doctrine
so much at variance with my preconceived ways of thinking. Curious,
however, to know his opinion, I asked the brigadier in what light he
felt disposed to view the matter himself.

"I am elected by the Tangents," he said; "and, by what I can learn, it
is the intention of our friends to steer a middle course; and one of our
leaders is already selected, who, at a proper stage of the affair, is to
move an amendment."

"Can you refer me, my dear friend, to anything connected with the Great
National Allegory that bears on this point?"

"Why, there is a clause among the fundamental and immutable laws, which
it is thought was intended to meet this very case; but, unhappily, t