nce.
Falstaff's invincibles would convey no comparison. Some were hatless
and shoeless; some had sleeveless coats and tattered trousers: others
had collars but no shirts; all had faces immersed in massive beards.
Two-and-two abreast, they walked, in with an independent air, each
provided with a Saunder's circular, and took up a position in a
half-circle just behind the seats of the several members of the
Congress. The person who represented them, and who could boast of but
one shoe, and one sleeve to his coat, and had a countenance smothered
in hair, now approached Monsieur Souley as Monsieur Souley approached
him, and both bowed. I ought to have mentioned that this last
procession was preceded by one of their number, wheeling a barrow, on
which was a monster petition, specifying the fifty thousand grievances
they hoped would be redressed by the Congress. Buck, who it was more
than suspected looked with suspicion upon the mixture of reds in
general, was seen squinting steadily in the faces of the
savage-looking intruders, while others could not suppress a laugh at
the singular quaintness of the picture they presented. The leader
having extended his hand to Monsieur, a consultation ensued, and was
continued with innumerable gestures, grimaces, and contortions of the
face. The Chair begged to remind gentlemen of the importance of time.
The Chair hoped Monsieur Souley would find it convenient to report.
That versatile statesman replied,--He had the honor to inform this
august body, that these gentlemen--externally so
deficient!--constituted the 'Forlorn Order of _Very_ Red Republicans.'
Here Monsieur turned to the forlorn order, as it, with one accord
bowed, in confirmation of what he said. 'Gentlemen!' continued the
speaker with a rhetorical flourish, 'you must not judge these men by
their exteriors. We have here the rough bark covering the fine
tree. Gentlemen! have not these men hearts of oak, nerves of steel,
and bone that, like their souls, never breaks in time of need?'

"The Chair thought it time to interrupt the speaker by inquiring what
the forlorn order prayed for? Monsieur Souley resumed. 'Learning from
the authority they held in their hands (epistle de la Saunders), what
were the true objects of this Congress, they had nobly come forward to
tender their services, and to express in person their readiness to
take up arms in America's cause. He proposed a vote of thanks for this
patriotic manifestation.' This was