et again, against all order and
precedent in that rude chamber so reverent of law.

"I knew," he said, amid the silence of the wide-eyed people, "when I
came to this house to-day, that the censure of Iceland might follow
me when I left it, but its shame shall not pursue me. I also knew
that there were persons not well content with the present order of
things who might show their discontent as they had opportunity; but
before the insinuations of base motives that have just been made I
take you to witness that all that go with them are malicious
figments. My capacity any man may impeach, but my honest name none
shall question without challenge, for the sole pride I shall carry
away with me when I leave this place shall be the pride of an upright
life."

With that he put on his hat where he stood, and the people, thrilled
to their hearts by his ringing voice, and his eyes full of splendid
courage, broke into a great clamor of cheers.

"Peace, peace," cried a deep voice over the tumult. The old Bishop
had risen to speak.

"This is a quarrelsome age," he said, "an age when there seems to be
a strange itching in the spirits of men, when near every man seems to
seek his brother's disquiet all he may, when wretched jealousies and
the spirit of calumny turn everything to gall and wormwood. But can
we not take the President's message for what it claims to be, asking
him for no reasons that concern us not? When has he betrayed us? His
life since his coming here has been marked by strict integrity. When
has pride been his bane? His humility has ever been his praise. He
has been modest with the highest power and shown how little he valued
those distances he was bound to keep up. When has mammon been his
god? If he leaves us now he leaves us a poor man, as Althing may well
assure itself. But let us pray that this may not come to pass. When
he was elected to the employment he holds, being so young a man, many
trembled--and I among them--for the nation that had intrusted its
goods and its lives to his management, but now we know that only in
his merit and virtue can it find its safety and repose. Let me not be
prodigal of praise before his face, but honor and honesty require
this, that we say that so true a man is not to be found this day in
Iceland."

The Bishop's words had quickened the pulse of the people, and cheer
followed cheer again. "It is written," continued the Bishop, "that
whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased,