Augustus, shouted out, "Hear!"--"gentlemen, you all know that when some
months ago you were pleased, partly at the instigation of Gentleman
George--God bless him!--partly from the exaggerated good opinion
expressed of me by my friends, to elect me to the high honour of the
command of this district, I myself was by no means ambitious to
assume that rank, which I knew well was far beyond my merits, and that
responsibility which I knew with equal certainty was too weighty for my
powers. Your voices, however, overruled my own; and as Mr. Muddlepud,
the great metaphysician, in that excellent paper, 'The Asinaeum,'
was wont to observe, 'the susceptibilities, innate, extensible,
incomprehensible, and eternal,' existing in my bosom, were infinitely
more powerful than the shallow suggestions of reason,--that ridiculous
thing which all wise men and judicious Asinaeans sedulously stifle."

"Plague take the man! what is he talking about?" said Long Ned, who we
have seen was of an envious temper, in a whisper to Old Bags. Old Bags
shook his head.

"In a word, gentlemen," renewed Clifford, "your kindness overpowered me;
and despite my cooler inclinations, I accepted your flattering proposal.
Since then I have endeavoured, so far as I have been able, to advance
your interests; I have kept a vigilant eye upon all my neighbours; I
have, from county to county, established numerous correspondents; and
our exertions have been carried on with a promptitude that has ensured
success.

"Gentlemen, I do not wish to boast; but on these nights of periodical
meetings, when every quarter brings us to go halves,--when we meet in
private to discuss the affairs of the public, show our earnings as
it were in privy council, and divide them amicably as it were in the
Cabinet ['Hear! hear!' from Mr. Tomlinson],--it is customary for your
captain for the time being to remind you of his services, engage
your pardon for his deficiencies, and your good wishes for his future
exertions. Gentlemen, has it ever been said of Paul Lovett that he heard
of a prize and forgot to tell you of his news? ['Never! never!' loud
cheering.] Has it ever been said of him that he sent others to seize the
booty, and stayed at home to think how it should be spent? ['No! no!'
repeated cheers.] Has it ever been said of him that he took less share
than his due of your danger, and more of your guineas? [Cries in the
negative, accompanied with vehement applause.] Gentlemen, I thank