e deed
to the account of our national religion, as well as of our national
generosity."

Miss Sparkes said, "In one respect, however, Mr. Flam imitates the
French whom he is abusing. He is very apt to triumph where he has gained
no victory. If you hear his account of a defeat, you would take it, like
theirs, for a conquest." She added, however, that there were illustrious
men in other countries beside our own, as their successes testified. For
her part, she was a citizen of the world, and honored heroes wherever
they were found, in Macedon, in Sweden, or even in France.

"True enough," rejoined Mr. Flam, "the rulers of other countries have
gone about and delivered kingdoms as we are doing; but there is this
difference: they free them from mild masters, to make them their own
slaves; we neither get them for ourselves or our minions, our brothers,
or cousins, our Jeromes, or Josephs. _We_ raise the weak, _they_ pull
down the prosperous. If _we_ redeem kingdoms, 'tis to bestow them on
their own lawful kings. If we help this nation, 'tis to recall one
sovereign from banishment, if we assist that, 'tis to deliver him from
captivity."

"What a scene for Spain," said Sir John, "to behold in us their own
national Quixotism soberly exemplified, and rationally realized! The
generous theory of their romantic knight-errant brought into actual
practice. The fervor without the absurdity; the sound principle of
justice without the extravagance of fancy! Wrongs redressed and rights
restored, and upon the grandest scale! Deliverance wrought, not for
imaginary princesses, but for deposed and imprisoned monarchs! Injuries
avenged--not the ideal injuries of ridiculous individuals, but the
substantial wrongs of plundered empires!"

Sir John, who was amused with the oddities of Mr. Flam, was desirous of
still provoking him to talk; much effort indeed was not required to
induce him to do what he was fond of doing, whenever there was an
opportunity of contradicting Miss Sparkes.

"But, Mr. Flam," said Sir John, "you were interrupted as you began to
enumerate the inconsistencies which you said had put you out of love
with the world."

"Why, it makes me mad," replied he, "to hear men who make the loudest
outcry about the dangers of the state, cramming their houses with French
governesses, French cooks, and French valets; is not this adding flame
to the fire? Then I have no patience to see people who pretend great
zeal for the church, del