ttainment here, even by natives, how difficult must it be to govern a
people three thousand miles off, who differ most materially in thought,
word, and deed, from their official rulers.

Mr. Slick, when we had not met during the day, generally visited me at
night, about the time I usually returned from a dinner-party, and amused
me by a recital of his adventures.

"Squire," said he, "I have had a most curious capur to-day, and one that
will interest you, I guess. Jist as I was a settin' down to breakfast
this mornin', and was a turnin' of an egg inside out into a wine-glass,
to salt, pepper and batter it for Red-lane Alley, I received a note from
a Mister Pen, saying the Right Honourable Mr. Tact would be glad, if it
was convenient, if I would call down to his office, to Downin' Street,
to-day, at four o'clock. Thinks says I to myself, 'What's to pay now? Is
it the Boundary Line, or Creole Case, or Colonial Trade, or the Burnin'
of the Caroline, or Right o' Sarch? or what national subject is on the
carpet to-day? Howsundever,' sais I, 'let the charge be what it will,
slugs, rifle-bullets, or powder, go I must, that's a fact.' So I tips
him a shot right off; here's the draft, Sir; it's in reg'lar state
lingo.

"Sir,

"I have the high honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of this present first of June instant and
note its contents. The conference (subject unknown),
proffered by the Right Honourable Mr. Tact, I accede
to hereby protesting and resarving all rights of
conformation and reniggin' of our Extraordinary
Embassador, now absent from London, at the great
agricultural meetin'. I would suggest, next time, it
would better convene to business, to insart subject
of discussion, to prevent being taken at a short.

"I have to assure you of the high consideration of
your most obedient servant to command.

"THE HON. SAM SLICK,

"Attache".

"Well, when the time comes, I rigs up, puts on the legation coat, calls
a cab, and downs to Downing Street, and looks as dignified as I cleverly
knew how.

"When I enters the outer door, I sees a man in an arm-chair in the
entry, and he looked like a buster, I tell you, jist ready to blow up
with the steam of all the secrets he had in his byler.

"'Can I see Mr. Tact?' sais I.

"'Tell you directly,' sais he, jist short like; for Englishmen are
kinder costive of words; they don't use more nor will do, at no time;
and he