tion of dice for
all these people was, indeed, extraordinary: at a certain club where I
once dined in the character of "my partner, Mr. Dodd," the dice-box came
on the table with the wine, an artless substitute for after-dinner wit.

Of all our visitors, I believe I preferred Emperor Norton; the very
mention of whose name reminds me I am doing scanty justice to the folks
of San Francisco. In what other city would a harmless madman who
supposed himself emperor of the two Americas have been so fostered and
encouraged? Where else would even the people of the streets have
respected the poor soul's illusion? Where else would bankers and
merchants have received his visits, cashed his cheques, and submitted
to his small assessments? Where else would he have been suffered to
attend and address the exhibition days of schools and colleges? Where
else, in God's green earth, have taken his pick of restaurants,
ransacked the bill of fare, and departed scatheless? They tell me he was
even an exacting patron, threatening to withdraw his custom when
dissatisfied; and I can believe it, for his face wore an expression
distinctly gastronomical. Pinkerton had received from this monarch a
cabinet appointment; I have seen the brevet, wondering mainly at the
good-nature of the printer who had executed the forms, and I think my
friend was at the head either of foreign affairs or education: it
mattered, indeed, nothing, the prestation being in all offices
identical. It was at a comparatively early date that I saw Jim in the
exercise of his public functions. His Majesty entered the office--a
portly, rather flabby man, with the face of a gentleman, rendered
unspeakably pathetic and absurd by the great sabre at his side and the
peacock's feather in his hat.

"I have called to remind you, Mr. Pinkerton, that you are somewhat in
arrear of taxes," he said, with old-fashioned, stately courtesy.

"Well, your Majesty, what is the amount?" asked Jim; and, when the
figure was named (it was generally two or three dollars), paid upon the
nail and offered a bonus in the shape of Thirteen Star.

"I am always delighted to patronise native industries," said Norton the
First. "San Francisco is public-spirited in what concerns its emperor;
and indeed, sir, of all my domains, it is my favourite city."

"Come," said I, when he was gone, "I prefer that customer to the lot."

"It's really rather a distinction," Jim admitted. "I think it must have
been the umbre