“Because Yorick-Yorick was the King’s jester, you see-no nigger; and no one would think of importing anything but a nigger’s skull into Charleston—­”

“Young man!—­if this skull had consciousness; if this had a tongue it would rebuke thee;” the old man retorts hastily, “for my ancestors knew Yorick, and Yorick kept up an intimate acquaintance with the ancestors of the very first families in this State, who were not shoemakers and milliners, as hath been maliciously charged, but good and pious Huguenots.”  To the end that he may convince the unbelieving Thespian of the truth of his assertion, he commences to rub away the black coating with the sleeve of his coat, and there, to his infinite delight, is written, across the crown, in letters of red that stand out as bold as the State’s chivalry—­“Alas! poor Yorick.”  Tears of sympathy trickle down the old man’s cheeks, his eyes sparkle with excitement, and with womanly accents he mutters:  “the days of poetry and chivalry are gone.  It is but a space of time since this good man’s wit made Kings and Princes laugh with joy.”

This skull, and a coral pin, which he said was presented to his ancestors by Lord Cornwallis, who they captured, now became his hobby; and he referred to it in all his conversation, and made them as much his idol as our politicians do secession.  In this instance, he dare not entrust his newly-discovered jewel to the vulgar hands of Mr. Property, but pledged his honor-a ware the State deals largely in notwithstanding it has become exceedingly cheap-it would be forthcoming at the requisite time.

CHAPTER XII.

In which are matters the reader may have anticipated.

Mr. Soloman snivel has effected a reconciliation between old Judge Sleepyhorn and the beautiful Anna Bonard, and he has flattered the weak-minded George Mullholland into a belief that the old Judge, as he styles him, is his very best friend.  So matters go on swimmingly at the house of Madame Flamingo.  Indeed Mr. Soloman can make himself extremely useful in any affair requiring the exercise of nice diplomatic skill-no matter whether it be of love or law.  He gets people into debt, and out of debt; into bankruptcy and out of bankruptcy; into jail and out of jail; into society and out of society.  He has officiated in almost every capacity but that of a sexton.  If you want money, Mr. Soloman can always arrange the little matter for you.  If you have old negroes you want to get off your hands at a low figure, he has a customer.  If you want to mortgage your negro property, a thing not uncommon with our very first families, Mr. Soloman is your man.  Are you worth a fee, and want legal advice, he will give it exactly to your liking.  Indeed, he will lie you into the most hopeless suit, and with equal pertinacity lie you out of the very best.  Every judge is his