rned with the insignia of the most noble order of
the Garter.

"I contend, and I defy the universe to prove the contrary," exclaimed
the pertinacious Serjeant in a tone of authoritative assertion,
"that the Duke of Wellington is a greater man than ever did, does, or
hereafter may exist!"

"By no means," answered the Civilian. "I admit, so far as a thorough
knowledge of military tactics, and a brilliant career of victory
constitutes greatness, his grace of Wellington to be a great hero, but
certainly not the greatest 'inan that ever did, does, or hereafter may
exist!" "Is there a greater man? Did there ever exist a greater?--when
and where?" the Serjeant impatiently demanded.

"Buonaparte was a greater," answered the opposing disputant; "because to
military renown unparalleled in the annals of ancient or modern history,
he added the most consummate knowledge of government; and although his
actions might frequently partake of arbitrary sway, (and who is the
human being exempted from human frailty) yet he certainly created and
sustained, in her most elevated zenith, the splendour of France, till
crushed by the union of nations in arms; and if power is the criterion
of greatness, who was, is, or ever can be greater than the man, who,
emerging from obscurity, raised himself solely by his mental energies
to the highest elevation of human glory; and who, this Island excepted,
commanded the destinies of all Europe! The most determined of his
enemies will not deny, calmly and duly appreciating his merits, that he
possessed unrivalled talent; and this fact the hero, whose cause you
so vehemently espouse, would, I have no doubt, be the foremost in
acknowledging."

In deficiency of argument, the Serjeant resorted to invective; the
vociferous disputation reached the next ~335~~ room, and was taken up by
the rank and file in a manner not less tumultuous; when an honest native
of the "Emerald Isle" good-humouredly terminated the war of words,
calling for half a quartern of gin, with which to qualify a pint of
Whitbread's entire.

"To the immortal memory of St. Patrick, and long life to him!" exclaimed
Patrick O'Shaughnessy. "If there did not exist but them two selves, bad
luck to the spalpeen who will say that the Duke and my Lord Londondery
would not be the greatest men in the universe!"

This sally led to a cessation of hostilities, which might have been
followed by a definitive treaty of peace, but the daemon of discord agai