t banquet, and no end to the words of
gratitude and tears of emotion. This banquet was given by the Leipsic
merchants in honor of him who had so magnanimously taken their part,
saved them three hundred thousand dollars, and guaranteed their bonds.
And they devoured the delicate viands and emptied the beakers to his
honor, and praised him in high-sounding speeches.

When Gotzkowsky, wearied and bored by this festival, returned home, he
found on his table three letters. The one which bore on its seal the
arms of Prussia he opened first. It was a cabinet order from the
king to his private secretary, Leinning, to pay to the merchant, John
Gotzkowsky, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. "Ah," said he,
smiling, "payment on account; I bought a hundred thousand ducats'
worth of paintings for the king, and he does not wish to remain always
in my debt." With a slight shrug of the shoulders he opened
the second letter. Suddenly he burst into a loud laugh, and his
countenance assumed an expression of derisive mirth. "The Elector of
Saxony, in consideration of services rendered to the town of Leipsic,
appoints me his commercial privy councillor!" cried he, waving the
paper in the air; "that is a good joke! The little elector, who has
been my debtor for many long years, is gracious enough to throw me a
bit of rank--a title! Much obliged! My name sounds well enough. It is
not necessary to have a title to be a man of honor. Throw titles to
numskulls, not to me--away with it!"

He then threw the paper aside with scorn, and took up the third
letter. As he read it his noble countenance brightened up with proud
pleasure, and his eyes sparkled. It was a document from the town of
Leipsic, an address of thanks from the magistracy, the concluding
words of which ran thus:

"In our extreme need we had recourse to Herr Gotzkowsky, the respected
merchant and banker of Berlin, imploring the same to intercede for
this town and its merchants with the king of Prussia; affording
them his credit and valuable assistance, to accord to said town
some reasonable respite for payment, with security. To this earnest
pleading Herr Gotzkowsky yielded, and, as a true philanthropist,
without any ulterior views of profit to himself, did in the most
praiseworthy manner assist us, and averted this misfortune from the
town. These services we are compelled to acknowledge. We therefore
offer our services in return on all possible occasions, not doubting
that the