I will proceed. It
has therefore sent me out to assume the reins, and to undertake the
power, and to bear the responsibility of being your governor during a
short term of years. Who shall say what the future may disclose? For
the present I shall rule here. But I shall rule by the aid of your
laws."

"Not the Fixed Period law," said Exors, who was seated on the floor
of the chamber immediately under the orator.

"No; that law will be specially wiped out from your statute-book. In
other respects, your laws and those of Great Britain are nearly the
same. There may be divergences, as in reference to the non-infliction
of capital punishment. In such matters I shall endeavour to follow
your wishes, and so to govern you that you may still feel that you
are living under the rule of a president of your own selection." Here
I cannot but think that Sir Ferdinando was a little rash. He did not
quite know the extent of my popularity, nor had he gauged the dislike
which he himself would certainly encounter. He had heard a few voices
in the hall, which, under fear of death, had expressed their dislike
to the Fixed Period; but he had no idea of the love which the people
felt for their own independence, or,--I believe I may say,--for their
own president. There arose in the hall a certain amount of clamour,
in the midst of which Sir Ferdinando sat down.

Then there was a shuffling of feet as of a crowd going away. Sir
Ferdinando having sat down, got up again and shook me warmly by the
hand. I returned his greeting with my pleasantest smile; and then,
while the people were moving, I spoke to them two or three words. I
told them that I should start to-morrow at noon for England, under
a promise made by me to their new governor, and that I purposed to
explain to them, before I went, under what circumstances I had given
that promise, and what it was that I intended to do when I should
reach England. Would they meet me there, in that hall, at eight
o'clock that evening, and hear the last words which I should have
to address to them? Then the hall was filled with a mighty shout,
and there arose a great fury of exclamation. There was a waving of
handkerchiefs, and a holding up of hats, and all those signs of
enthusiasm which are wont to greet the popular man of the hour. And
in the midst of them, Sir Ferdinando Brown stood up upon his legs,
and continued to bow without cessation.

At eight, the hall was again full to overflowing. I had bee