pon me."

We embraced here, and the Governor shed a few official tears at the
thought of so soon separating from one he regarded as more than his
brother.

"We feel, Senhor Conde," said he, "how inadequate any recognition of
ours must be for services such as yours. We are a young country and a
Republic; honors we have none to bestow,--wealth is already your own; we
have nothing to offer, therefore, but our gratitude."

"Be it so," thought I; "the burden will not increase my luggage."

"This box will remind you, however, of an interview, and recall one who
deems this the happiest, as it is the proudest, hour of his life;" here
he presented me with a splendid gold snuff-box containing a miniature of
the President, surrounded by enormous diamonds.

Resolving not to be outdone in generosity, and at least not to be guilty
of dishonesty before my own conscience, I insisted upon the Governor's
acceptance of my watch,--a very costly repeater, studded with precious
stones.

"The arms of my family--the Cregans are Irish--will bring me to your
recollection," said I, pointing to a very magnificent heraldic display
on the timepiece, wherein figured the ancient crown of Ireland over
a shield, in one compartment of which was an "eye winking," the motto
being the Gaelic word "Nabocklish," signifying "Maybe not," ironically.

I will not dwell upon the other particulars of an interview which lasted
till nigh morning. It will be sufficient to mention that I was presented
with letters of introduction and recommendation to the Mexican Ministers
at Paris and Madrid, instructing them to show me every attention, and
desiring them to extend to me their entire confidence, particularly to
furnish me with introductions to any official personages with whom
I desired to be acquainted. This was all that I wanted; for I was
immensely rich, and only needed permission to pass the door of the
"great world," to mingle in that society for which my heart yearned and
longed unceasingly.

Some of my readers will smile at the simplicity which believed these
passports necessary, and was ignorant that wealth alone is wanting to
attain any position, to frequent any society, to be the intimate of any
set in Europe, and that the rich man is other than he was in classic
days,--"Honoratus, pulcher, rex denique regum."

I have lived to be wiser, and to see vulgarity, coarseness, meanness,
knavery, nay, even convicted guilt, the favored guests of royal saloon