the Asylum.

"Is this the Japhet Newland whom you received from these gentlemen and
brought up to your business?"

"Yea, and verily--I do affirm the same--smart lad--good boy--and so on."

"I will not take a Quaker's affirmation--will you take your oath, sir?"

"Yes," replied Cophagus, forgetting his Quakership; "take oath--bring
Bible--kiss book--and so on."

"You, then, as a Quaker, have no objection to swear to the identity of
this person?"

"Swear," cried Cophagus, "yes, swear--swear now--not Japhet!--I'm
damned--go to hell--and so on."

The other parties present could not help laughing at this explosion from
Cophagus, neither could I. Mr Masterton then asked the general if he
required any more proofs.

"No," replied the general discourteously; and speaking in Hindostanee to
his attendants, they walked to the door and opened it. The hint was
taken, Mr Masterton saying to the others in an ironical tone, "After so
long a separation, gentlemen, it must be natural that the general should
wish to be left alone, that he may give vent to his paternal feelings."

PART THREE, CHAPTER TWENTY.

FATHER AND I GROW WARM IN OUR ARGUMENT--OBLIGED TO GIVE HIM A LITTLE
SCHOOLING TO SHOW MY AFFECTION--TAKES IT AT LAST VERY KINDLY, AND VERY
DUTIFULLY OWNS HIMSELF A FOOL.

In the mean time, I was left standing in the middle of the room: the
gentlemen departed, and the two native servants resumed their stations
on each side of the sofa. I felt humiliated and indignant, but waited
in silence; at last, my honoured parent, who had eyed me for some time,
commenced:--

"If you think, young man, to win my favour by your good looks, you are
very much mistaken: you are too like your mother, whose memory is
anything but agreeable."

The blood mounted to my forehead at this cruel observation; I folded my
arms and looked my father steadfastly in the face, but made no reply.
The choler of the gentleman was raised.

"It appears that I have found a most dutiful son."

I was about to make an angry answer, when I recollected myself, and I
courteously replied, "My dear general, depend upon it that your son will
always be ready to pay duty to whom duty is due; but excuse me, in the
agitation of this meeting you have forgotten those little attentions
which courtesy demands: with your permission I will take a chair, and
then we may converse more at our ease. I hope your leg is better."

I said this with the blandest voice and th