when preacher says, 'Who will be saved?' answers, 'Me
and the boys, throw us a hen-coop; the galls will drift down stream on a
bale o' cotton.' Well then, _our_ very lowest, and _their_ very highest,
don't always act pretty, that's a fact. Sometimes '_they repudiate_.'
You take, don't you?

"There is another party to-night; the flock is a thinnin' off agin; and
as I want a cigar most amazin'ly, let's go to a divan, and some other
time, I'll tell you what a swoi_ree_ is. But answer me this here
question now, Squire: when this same thing is acted over and over, day
after day, and no variation, from July to etarnity, don't you think
you'd get a leetle--jist a leetle more tired of it every day, and wish
for natur once more. If you wouldn't I would, that's all."

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER I. THE NOSE OF A SPY

"Squire." said Mr. Hopewell, "you know Sam well enough, I hope, to make
all due allowances for the exuberance of his fancy. The sketch he has
just given you of London society, like the novels of the present
day, though founded on fact, is very unlike the reality. There may be
assemblages of persons in this great city, and no doubt there are, quite
as insipid and absurd as the one he has just pourtrayed; but you must
not suppose it is at all a fair specimen of the society of this place.
My own experience is quite the reverse. I think it the most refined,
the most agreeable, and the most instructive in the world. Whatever
your favourite study or pursuit may be, here you are sure to find
well-informed and enthusiastic associates. If you have merit, it is
appreciated; and for an aristocratic country, that merit places you on
a level with your superiors in rank in a manner that is quite
incomprehensible to a republican. Money is the great leveller of
distinctions with us; here, it is talent. Fashion spreads many tables
here, but talent is always found seated at the best, if it thinks proper
to comply with certain usages, without which, even genius ceases to be
attractive.

"On some future occasion, I will enter more at large on this subject;
but now it is too late; I have already exceeded my usual hour for
retiring. 'Excuse me, Sam,' said he. 'I know you will not be offended
with me, but Squire there are some subjects on which Sam may amuse, but
cannot instruct you, and one is, fashionable life in London. You must
judge for yourself, Sir. Good night, my children.'"

Mr. Slick rose, and opened the door f