than John was not to be found on
the outside of our small world. He had been the pack-horse of Europe,
and all sorts of kings had used him for all sorts of purposes. Never
was friend used better. He was proud, and yet how submissive. Ready to
shed his blood and squander his treasure for he knew not what, he was
equally willing to submit his well-burdened back to the kicks and
cuffs of those he had saved from ignominy. Now, the very type of
endurance was he who sat poised in the puddle. 'As for the Bear,' says
John, 'he won't guarantee to be satisfied with his ordinary rations;
and if he were to plant himself in the centre of this puddle I would
very obediently have to plant myself out.' Here John folded his arms,
and, with a dignified air, ordered his beer.

"That John should keep his eye sharp to windward was natural enough;
but had this very same eye been kept to windward many years ago, much
blood and treasure had been saved in the present. It is playing false
to his national character thus long for which John now pays so
dearly. But that phantom of terror excited by the Bear's growth,
Mr. Smooth seriously thinks unworthy of being entertained by the
honorable John.

"'You need not be alarmed, Mr. Smooth,' continued John, modifying
somewhat his natural crisp: 'I am painfully sensible of our
diplomatists having played the donkey; but why should you, being far
removed from the scene of strife, nor having immediate interest in the
game, desire to burn a finger in it? Be a man of sense--watch kings
and kingcraft--go your way home in peace, and let peace be your
glorious triumph over war!' From John such advice was valuable.
Acknowledging the joys and comforts of peace, we shook hands,--I
wished John well with his fighting, and we parted. I could not
however, resist the conviction that John knew not for what he fought
so bravely, and might have maintained his position as the greatest
cock of the dunghill without sorrow to the homes of his people, and
desolation into the land of his long tried and most dependable friend.
Who can foretell the ways of a Napoleon. Oh! ambition, ambition!

CHAPTER XIV.

DONE BROWN IN DOWNING-STREET.

"Few would have supposed that when Minister Smooth left General Pierce
and his waggish cabinet he would so soon have taken a turn round the
world, and fetched up in that world of misery and wealth called
London. But the world has got very fast, and only a fast man can keep
up with it