aracter
of the worthy Doctor Small?"

"No, no, your Excellency. I left my country for my country's good--I
mean the college. My ideas were in advance of the age."

"How?"

"I suggested, in the Literary Society, the propriety of throwing off
the rule of Great Britain; I drew up a constitutional argument against
the Established Church in favor of religions toleration; and I
asserted in open lecture that all men were and of right should be
equally free."

The Governor shook with laughter.

"Did you?" he said.

"Yes," said Sir Asinus, assuming a grand tone.

"Well, I see now why you left your college for its good; this is
treason, heresy, and barbarism," said the Governor, merrily. "Where
has your Traitorship taken up your residence?"

"In Gloucester street," said Sir Asinus; "a salubrious and pleasant
lodging."

"Gloucester street! Why, your constitutional civil and religious
emancipation is not complete!"

"No, my dear sir--no."

"Come and live here with me in the palace; I'll protect you in your
rights with my guards and cannon."

"No, your Excellency," said Sir Asinus, laughing. "You are the
representative of that great system which I oppose. I am afraid of the
Greeks and their gifts."

"Zounds! let me vindicate myself. I an opponent of your ideas!" cried
the Governor, laughing.

"You are the representative of royalty."

"No, I am a good Virginian."

"You are an admirer of the Established Church."

The Governor whistled.

"That's it!" he said.

"You are the front of the aristocracy."

"My dear friend," said his Excellency, "ever since a blackguard in
Paris defeated me in a fair spadille combat--breast to breast, card to
card, by pure genius--I have been a republican. That fellow was a
_canaille_, but he won fifteen thousand pounds from me: he was my
superior. But let us try a game of cards, my dear boy. How are your
pockets?"

"Low," said Sir Asinus, ruefully.

"Never mind," said his Excellency, whose whole countenance had lighted
up at the thought of play; "I admire your garters--a pistole against
them."

"Done!" said Sir Asinus with great readiness; and they sat down to
play.

In two hours Sir Asinus was sitting at spadille in the exceedingly
undress costume of shirt, pantaloons, and silk stockings.

His coat was thrown on a chair; his worsted shoes were in one corner
of the room; and his cocked hat lay upon his waistcoat at the
Governor's feet.

The Governor took extreme deligh