e. Of course you will accept the appointment--and now, let me give
you your credentials."

He unlocked a cabinet, which, except for its dust and the coating of
cobwebs which time had wrought upon it, might have figured in the saloons
of the Medici. The succession of springs which he touched, and of secret
drawers which started at the touch, might have supplied a little history
of Italian intrigue. At last he found the roll of papers which he sought,
and having first thrown a glance round the room, as if a spy sat on every
chair, he began to unroll them; with a rapid criticism on each as the few
first lines met his eye. Every nerve of his countenance was in full play
as he looked over those specimens of the wisdom of the wise; It would have
been an invaluable study to a Laveter. He had evidently almost forgotten
that I was present; and the alternate ridicule and disdain of his powerful
physiognomy were assisted, in my comprehension, by notes from time to
time--certainly the antipodes of flattery--"paltry knave"--"pompous
fool"--"specious swindler." "Ambassador! ay, if we were to send one to a
nation of baboons." "Here," said he, throwing, the bundle on the table,
"if I did not despise mankind enough already, I have sufficient evidence
to throng the pillory. I deal in gold; well, it is only such that can know
the world. Hate, ambition, religion--all have their hypocrisies; but money
applies the thumbscrew to them all. Want, sir, want, is the master of
mankind. There have been men--ay, and women too--within this dungeon, as
you think it, whose names would astonish you. Oh! Father Abraham"--

I finished the quotation.--"What fools these Christians are!" He burst
into grim laughter. "Here you have the paper," said he, "and I must
therefore send you back to the secretary's office. But there you must not
be known. Secrecy is essential even to your life. Stabbing in Paris is
growing common, and the knowledge that you had any other purpose than
gambling, might be repaid by a poniard."

He now prepared his note, and as he wrote, continued his conversation in
fragments. "Three-fourths of mankind are mere blunderers, and the more you
know of them the more you will be of my opinion. I am by no means sure
that we have not some of them in Whitehall itself. Pitt is a powerful man,
and he alone keeps them together; without him they would be
potsherds.--Pitt thinks that we can go on without a war: he is mistaken.
How is it possible to k