n is taken from
us, and we are reduced to the lamentable condition of a British Crown
colony! And all this is to be done because we had striven to rise
above the prejudices of the day." Crasweller smiled, and said not a
word to oppose me, and accepted all my indignation with assent; but
he certainly did not show any enthusiasm. A happier old gentleman,
or one more active for his years, I had never known. It was but
yesterday that I had seen him so absolutely cowed as to be hardly
able to speak a word. And all this change had occurred simply because
he was to be allowed to die out in the open world, instead of
enjoying the honour of having been the first to depart in conformity
with the new theory. He and I, however, spent thus one day longer
in sweet friendship; and I do not doubt but that, when I return
to Britannula, I shall find him living in great comfort at Little
Christchurch.

At three o'clock we all went into our great town-hall to hear what
Sir Ferdinando had to say to us. The chamber is a very spacious one,
fitted up with a large organ, and all the arrangements necessary for
a music-hall; but I had never seen a greater crowd than was collected
there on this occasion. There was not a vacant corner to be found;
and I heard that very many of the inhabitants went away greatly
displeased in that they could not be accommodated. Sir Ferdinando had
been very particular in asking the attendance of Captain Battleax,
and as many of the ship's officers as could be spared. This, I was
told, he did in order that something of the _eclat_ of his oration
might be taken back to England. Sir Ferdinando was a man who thought
much of his own eloquence,--and much also of the advantage which he
might reap from it in the opinion of his fellow-countrymen generally.
I found that a place of honour had been reserved for me too at his
right hand, and also one for my wife at his left. I must confess that
in these last moments of my sojourn among the people over whom I had
ruled, I was treated with the most distinguished courtesy. But, as
I continued to say to myself, I was to be banished in a few hours
as one whose intended cruelties were too abominable to allow of my
remaining in my own country. On the first seat behind the chair sat
Captain Battleax, with four or five of his officers behind him. "So
you have left Lieutenant Crosstrees in charge of your little toy," I
whispered to Captain Battleax.

"With a glass," he replied, "by whic