's. "He's no scholar, but he is a match for any French
general that ever swallowed the English for fricassee de crapaud.
He saved the crown for the best of kings, his royal father, his Most
Gracious Majesty King George."

Off went Mr. Franklin's hat, and from his large buckled wig escaped a
great halo of powder.

"He is the soldier's best friend, and has been the uncompromising enemy
of all beggarly red-shanked Scotch rebels and intriguing Romish Jesuits
who would take our liberty from us, and our religion, by George. His
Royal Highness, my gracious master, is not a scholar neither, but he is
one of the finest gentlemen in the world."

"I have seen his Royal Highness on horseback, at a review of the Guards,
in Hyde Park," says Mr. Franklin. "The Duke is indeed a very fine
gentleman on horseback."

"You shall drink his health to-day, Postmaster. He is the best of
masters, the best of friends, the best of sons to his royal old father;
the best of gentlemen that ever wore an epaulet."

"Epaulets are quite out of my way, sir," says Mr. Franklin, laughing.
"You know I live in a Quaker City."

"Of course they are out of your way, my good friend. Every man to his
business. You, and gentlemen of your class, to your books, and welcome.
We don't forbid you; we encourage you. We, to fight the enemy and govern
the country. Hey, gentlemen? Lord! what roads you have in this colony,
and how this confounded coach plunges! Who have we here, with the two
negro boys in livery? He rides a good gelding."

"It is Mr. Washington," says the aide-de-camp.

"I would like him for a corporal of the Horse Grenadiers," said the
General. "He has a good figure on a horse. He knows the country too, Mr.
Franklin."

"Yes, indeed."

"And is a monstrous genteel young man, considering the opportunities he
has had. I should have thought he had the polish of Europe, by George I
should."

"He does his best," says Mr. Franklin, looking innocently at the stout
chief, the exemplar of English elegance, who sat swagging from one side
to the other of the carriage, his face as scarlet as his coat--swearing
at every other word; ignorant on every point off parade, except the
merits of a bottle and the looks of a woman; not of high birth, yet
absurdly proud of his no-ancestry; brave as a bulldog; savage, lustful,
prodigal, generous; gentle in soft moods; easy of love and laughter;
dull of wit; utterly unread; believing his country the first in the
world,