to be forwarded
to England, requiring, without delay, a few cargoes of fudge.

The people had all this time remained in a general state of ferment and
murmur. Everything that rancour, low wit, and deplorable ignorance
could conceive to asperse my government, was put in execution. The most
worthy, even the most beneficent actions, everything that was amiable,
were perverted into opposition.

The heart of Munchausen was not made of such impenetrable stuff as to be
insensible to the hatred of even the most worthless wretch in the whole
kingdom; and once, at a general assembly of the states, filled with an
idea of such continued ingratitude, I spoke as pathetic as possible,
not, methought, beneath my dignity, to make them feel for me: that the
universal good and happiness of the people were all I wished or desired;
that if my actions had been mistaken, or improper surmises formed, still
I had no wish, no desire, but the public welfare, &c. &c. &c.

Hilaro Frosticos was all this time much disturbed; he looked sternly at
me--he frowned, but I was so engrossed with the warmth of my heart, my
intentions, that I understood him not: in a minute I saw nothing but as
if through a cloud (such is the force of amiable sensibility)--lords,
ladies, chiefs--the whole assembly seemed to swim before my sight.
The more I thought on my good intentions, the lampoons which so much
affected my delicacy, good nature, tenderness--I forgot myself--I spoke
rapid, violent--beneficence--fire--tenderness--alas! I melted into
tears!

"Pish! pish!" said Hilaro Frosticos.

Now, indeed, was my government lampooned, satirised, carribonadoed,
bepickled, and bedevilled. One day, with my arm full of lampoons, I
started up as Hilaro entered the room, the tears in my eyes: "Look, look
here, Hilaro!--how can I bear all this? It is impossible to please
them; I will leave the government--I cannot bear it! See what pitiful
anecdotes--what surmises: I will make my people feel for me--I will
leave the government!"

"Pshaw!" says Hilaro. At that simple mono-syllable I found myself
changed as if by magic! for I ever looked on Hilaro as a person so
experienced--such fortitude, such good sense. "There are three sails,
under the convoy of a frigate," added Hilaro, "just arrived at the Cape,
after a fortunate passage, laden with the fudge that we demanded.
No time is to be lost; let it be immediately conducted hither, and
distributed through the principal granaries