the grave. Therefore he who has slain most lions or
enemies, is naturally prone to believe that he shall have the best
hunting fields in the country beyond, and take the best place at the
banquet. Nature, in all its operations, impresses man with the idea of
an invisible Power; and the principle of honor that is, the desire of
praise and reward--snakes him anxious for the approval which that Power
can bestow. Thence comes the first rude idea of Religion; and in the
death-hymn at the stake, the savage chants songs prophetic of the
distinctions he is about to receive. Society goes on; hamlets are built;
property is established. He who has more than another has more power
than another. Power is honored. Alan covets the honor attached to the
power which is attached to possession. Thus the soil is cultivated; thus
the rafts are constructed; thus tribe trades with tribe; thus Commerce
is founded, and Civilization commenced. Sirs, all that seems least
connected with honor, as we approach the vulgar days of the present,
has its origin in honor, and is but an abuse of its principles. If
men nowadays are hucksters and traders, if even military honors are
purchased, and a rogue buys his way to a peerage, still all arises
from the desire for honor, which society, as it grows old, gives to the
outward signs of titles and gold, instead of, as once, to its inward
essentials,--courage, truth, justice, enterprise. Therefore I say, sirs,
that honor is the foundation of all improvement in mankind."

"You have argued like a schoolman, brother," said Mr. Caxton,
admiringly; "but still, as to this round piece of silver, don't we go
back to the most barbarous ages in estimating so highly such things as
have no real value in themselves,--as could not give us one opportunity
for instructing our minds?"

"Could not pay for a pair of boots," added Uncle Jack.

"Or," said Mr. Squills, "save you one twinge of the cursed rheumatism
you have got for life from that night's bivouac in the Portuguese
marshes,--to say nothing of the bullet in your cranium, and that
cork-leg, which must much diminish the salutary effects of your
constitutional walk."

"Gentlemen," resumed the Captain, nothing abashed, "in going back to
those barbarous ages, I go back to the true principles of honor. It is
precisely because this round piece of silver has no value in the market
that it is priceless, for thus it is only a proof of desert. Where would
be the sense of ser