to be an _Englishman_. I don't want to be an
English _subject_; do you understand that now? If you don't, this is the
meanin', that there is no fun in bein' a fag, if you are never to have a
fag yourself. Give us all fair play. Don't move now,' sais you, 'for I'm
gettin' warm; I'm gettin' spotty on the back, my bristles is up, and I
might hurt you with this ruler; it's a tender pint this, for I've rubbed
the skin off of a sore place; but I'll tell you a gospel truth, and mind
what I tell you, for nobody else has sense enough, and if they had, they
hante courage enough. If you don't make _Englishmen of us_, the force of
circumstances will _make Yankees_ of us, as sure as you are born.' He'll
stare at that. He is a clever man, and aint wantin' in gumption. He
is no fool, that's a fact. 'Is it no compliment to you and your
institutions this?' sais you. 'Don't it make you feel proud that even
independence won't tempt us to dissolve the connexion? Ain't it a noble
proof of your good qualities that, instead of agitatin' for Repeal of
the Union, we want a closer union? But have we no pride too? We would be
onworthy of the name of Englishmen, if we hadn't it, and we won't stand
beggin' for ever I tell _you_. Here's our hands, give us yourn; let's
be all Englishmen together. Give us a chance, and if us, young English
boys, don't astonish you old English, my name ain't Tom Poker, that's
all.' 'Sit down,' he'll say, 'Mr. Poker;' there is a great deal in that;
sit down; I am interested.'

"The instant he sais that, take your ruler, lay it down on the table,
pick up your hat, make a scrape with your hind leg, and say, 'I regret
I have detained you so long, Sir. I am most peskily afraid my warmth
has kinder betrayed me into rudeness. I really beg pardon, I do upon
my soul. I feel I have smashed down all decency, I am horrid ashamed of
myself.' Well, he won't say you hante rode the high hoss, and done the
unhandsum thing, because it wouldn't be true if he did; but he'll say,
'Pray be seated. I can make allowances, Sir, even for intemperate zeal.
And this is a very important subject, very indeed. There is a monstrous
deal in what you say, though you have, I must say, rather a peculiar,
an unusual, way of puttin' it.' Don't you stay another minit though,
nor say another word, for your life; but bow, beg pardon, hold in your
breath, that your face may look red, as if you was blushin', and back
out, starn fust. Whenever you make an impress