e true enough, neighbor Vito Viti, for the constitution of
Inghilterra is an instrument of many strings. Your answer convinces me
you have thought on the subject of your government, Capitano, and I
honor a reflecting man in all situations in life. What is the religion
of the country?"

"Corpo di Bacco! that is harder to answer than all the rest! We have as
many religions in England as we have people. It is true the law says one
thing on this head, but then the men, women, and children say another.
Nothing has troubled me more than this same matter of religion."

"Ah! you sailors do not disquiet your souls with such thoughts, if the
truth must be said. Well, we will be indulgent on this subject--though,
out of doubt, you and all your people are Luterani?"

"Set us down as what you please," answered the captain, with an ironical
smile. "Our fathers, at any rate, were all good Catholics once. But
seamanship and the altar are the best of friends, living quite
independent of each other."

"That I will answer for. It is much the same here, caro Vito Viti,
though our mariners do burn so many lamps and offer up so many aves."

"Your pardon, Signor Vice-governatore," interrupted the Signor Smeet,
with a little earnestness; "this is the great mistake of your seamen in
general. Did they pray less, and look to their duties more, their
voyages would be shorter, and the profits more certain."

"Scandalous!" exclaimed the podesta, in hotter zeal than it was usual
for him to betray.

"Nay, worthy Vito Viti, it is even so," interrupted the deputy, with a
wave of the hand that was as authoritative as the concession was
liberal, and indicative of a spirit enlightened by study; "the fact must
be conceded. There is the fable of Hercules and the wagoner to confirm
it. Did our men first strive, and then pray, more would be done than by
first praying and then striving; and now, Signor Capitano, a word on
your language, of which I have some small knowledge, and which,
doubtless, you speak like a native."

"Sairtain_lee_," answered the captain, with perfect self-composure,
changing the form of speech from the Italian to the English with a
readiness that proved how strong he felt himself on this point; "one
cannot fail to speak ze tongue of his own muzzair."

This was said without any confusion of manner, and with an accent that
might very well mislead a foreigner, and it sounded imposing to the
vice-governatore, who felt a secret consc