orded, the archbishop caused the happy pair to be wreathed
together, by encircling them with his episcopal tail, and they were then
pronounced monikin and monikina. I pass over the congratulations, which
were quite in rule, to relate a short conversation I held with the
brigadier.

"Sir," said I, addressing that person, as soon as the prelate said
'amen,' "how is this? I have seen a certificate, myself, which showed
that there was a just admeasurement of the fitness of this union, on the
score of other considerations than those mentioned in the ceremony?"

"That certificate has no connection with this ceremony."

"And yet this ceremony repudiates all the considerations enumerated in
the certificate?"

"This ceremony has no connection with that certificate."

"So it would seem; and yet both refer to the same solemn engagement!"

"Why, to tell you the truth, Sir John Goldencalf, we monikins (for
in these particulars Leaphigh is Leaplow) have two distinct governing
principles in all that we say or do, which may be divided into
the theoretical and the practical--moral and immoral would not be
inapposite--but, by the first we control all our interests, down as far
as facts, when we immediately submit to the latter. There may possibly
be something inconsistent in appearance in such an arrangement; but then
our most knowing ones say that it works well. No doubt among men, you
get along without the embarrassment of so much contradiction."

I now advanced to pay my respects to the Countess of Chatterino, who
stood supported by the countess-dowager, a lady of great dignity and
elegance of demeanor. The moment I appeared, the elaborate air of
modesty, vanished from the charming countenance of the bride, in a look
of natural pleasure; and, turning to her new mother, she pointed me
out as a man! The courteous old dowager gave me a very kind reception,
inquiring if I had enough good things to eat, whether I was not much
astonished at the multitude of strange sights I beheld in Leaphigh, said
I ought to be much obliged to her son for consenting to bring me over,
and invited me to come and see her some fine morning.

I bowed my thanks, and then returned to join the brigadier, with a
view to seek an introduction to the archbishop. Before I relate the
particulars of my interview with that pious prelate, however, it may be
well to say that this was the last I ever saw of any of the Chatterino
set, as they retired from the presence