ertain "Ponto, Charge des
Depeches."

Now if there be one feature of continental life fixed and immutable, it
is this: that wherever the German language be spoken, the reverence for
a government functionary is supreme. If you can only show on documentary
evidence that you are grandson of the man who made the broom that swept
out a government office, it is enough. You are from that hour regarded
as one of the younger children of Bureaucracy. You are under the
protection of the state, and though you be but the smallest rivet in
the machinery, there is no saying what mischief might not ensue if you
were either lost or mislaid.

I saw in an instant the dread impression I had created, and I said, in
a voice of careless insolence, "Go on, I beg of you; send me back to
prison; chain me; perhaps you would like to torture me? The government
I represent is especially slow in vindicating the rights of its injured
officials. It has a European reputation for long-suffering, patience,
and forbearance. Yes, Englishmen can be impaled, burned, flayed alive,
disembowelled. By all means, avail yourselves of your bland privileges;
have me led out instantly to the scaffold, unless you prefer to have me
broken on the wheel!"

"Will nobody stop him!" cried the president, almost choking with wrath.

"Stop me; I suspect not, sir. It is upon these declarations of mine,
made thus openly, that my country will found that demand for reparation
which will one day cost you so dearly. Lead on, I am ready for the
block." And as I said this, I untied my cravat, and appeared to prepare
for the headsman.

"If he will not cease, the court shall be dissolved," called out the
judge.

"Never, sir. Never, so long as I live, shall I surrender the glorious
privileges of that freedom by which I assert my birthright as a Briton."

"Well, you are as impudent a chap as ever I listened to," muttered my
countryman at my side.

"The prisoners are dismissed, the court is adjourned," said the
president, rising; and amidst a very disorderly crowd, not certainly
enthusiastic in our favor, we were all hurried into the street.

"Come along down here," said Mr. Harpar. "I 'm in a very tidy sort of
place they call the 'Golden Pig.' Come along, and bring the vagabonds,
and let's have breakfast together."

I was hurt at the speech; but as my companions could not understand its
coarseness, I accepted the invitation, and we followed him.

"Well, I ain't seen _your_ li