our bone, and flesh of our flesh. Well, sir, these two great political
landmarks being fairly drawn, the first effort of one who aspires to
be thought a patriot is to acquire the practice of 'toeing the mark'
promptly and with facility. But should I illustrate my positions by a
few experiments, you might comprehend the subject all the better.--For
though, in fact, the true evolutions are purely moral, as I have just
had the honor to explain, yet we have instituted a physical parallel
that is very congenial to our habits, with which the neophyte always
commences."

Here the commodore took a bit of chalk and drew two very distinct lines,
crossing each other at right angles, through the centre of the room.
When this was done, he placed his feet together, and then he invited me
to examine if it were possible to see any part of the planks between
the extremities of his toes and the lines. After a rigid look, I was
compelled to confess it was not.

"This is what we call 'toeing the mark'; it is social position, No. 1.
Almost every citizen gets to be expert in practising it, on one or the
other of the two great political lines. After this, he who would
push his fortunes further, commences his career on the great rotatory
principle."

"Your pardon, commodore, we call the word rotary, in English."

"Sir, it is not expressive enough for our meaning; and therefore we term
it 'rotatory.' I shall now give you an example of position No. 2."

Here the commodore made a spring, throwing his body, as a soldier would
express it, to the "right about," bringing, at the same time, his feet
entirely on the other side of the line; always rigidly toeing the mark.

"Sir," said I, "this was extremely well done; but is this evolution as
useful as certainly it is dexterous?"

"It has the advantage of changing front, Sir John; a manoeuvre quite as
useful in politics as in war. Most all in the line get to practise
this, too, as my friend Downright, there, could show you, were he so
disposed."

"I don't like to expose my flanks, or my rear, more than another,"
growled the brigadier.

"If agreeable, I will now show you gyration 2d, or position No. 3."

On my expressing a strong desire to see it, the commodore put himself
again in position No. 1; and then he threw what Captain Poke was in the
habit of calling a "flap-jack," or a summerset; coming down in a way
tenaciously to toe the mark.

I was much gratified with the dexterity of the comm