ow nothing like
a superabundance of shame among us; we appear to glory in our vices."

"Why confound it, Hartley," replied Deaker, "where's the use of assuming
what we do not and cannot feel? Would you have me preach honesty, who am
as d----d a rogue as there is here? Indeed, with the exception of that
whelp of mine, I believe the greatest--but that fellow's my master."

"Nobody can quarrel with your candor, Deaker, because it's all at your
own expense," said the treasurer.

"Egad, and here it is at yours, Gilburne; with the exception always of
myself and my son, you are the deepest rogue here--and I am very much
afraid that your securities will be of my opinion when it is too late."
He laughed heartily at this; and then, as usual, took to whistling his
favorite tune of the Boyne Water.

Our readers may perceive that there was among them an open, hardy scorn
not only of all shame, but of the very forms of common decency and
self-respect. The feelings, the habits, the practices, the distribution
of jobs and of jobbings, the exercise of petty authority, party spirit,
and personal resentment, all went the same way, and took the same bent;
because, in point of fact, there was in this little assembly of
village tyrants, no such thing as an opposition--for three or four--were
nothing--no balance of feeling--no division of opinion--and consequently
no check upon the double profligacy of practice and principle, which
went forward under circumstances where there existed a complete sense of
security, and an utter absence of all responsibility.

"Gentlemen, we are losing a great deal of time unnecessarily," observed
M'Clutchy, "let us first get through the business, and afterwards we
will be more at leisure for this trifling. The bills for Harman are not
yet found."

"Not found," replied Spavin, "why how soft you are, Val."

"Why they are not," reiterated Val.

"And why are they not?"

"Ask Counsellor Browbeater, the hard-faced barrister, that has the right
of Black Trot in the Castle, and he will tell you."

"We all know that very well, Val, no thanks to your squeamishness,"
observed Deaker; "the truth is, he did not wish to let him out for a
reason he has," he added, winking at the rest.

"Let us hear the calendar," said Hartley, "and got through the business
as quickly as we can, secretary."

"Is that Browbeater," asked Sir William, "who was engaged in the spy
system a little before I returned from England--a d---