of the introduction.  And when they had exchanged civilities and bows to their satisfaction, the commodore spoke as follows:  “Since, sir, the high honor of presenting you with the congratulations of our club devolves upon me, I may here be permitted to say, that no event of my whole life has afforded me so much pleasure.  In presenting, then, their hearty congratulations, welcoming you at the same time to our great metropolis and its hospitalities, I cannot too highly express my sense of the many services you have rendered the country, which owes you a higher reward than this club can bestow.  In addressing the great and the good-the hero who has fought his country’s battles, and the statesman who has carried her safely through impending dangers, our emotions too frequently carry away our power to render due homage.  Let me beg you, then, to make every allowance for this feeble manifestation of our high regard.  Your fame as a statesman and patriot, as a soldier and a gentleman, is well known and appreciated among us.  You have, whenever your country required, lent it the strength of your arm and the influence of your high position; and we seek to pay you homage, because we know, that should she need it again, you would not be found wanting.  Nor do we forget your high personal worth, for we have read how well and worthily you have acted the part of a philanthropist, in raising up suffering humanity and redressing the outraged.  As an humble expression of our esteem, we beg you then to accept the services of the squadron under my command, in escorting you to the city, where your many political admirers are prepared to receive you with such honors as greatness never fails to command.”  The speaker concluded, maintaining his gravity of countenance.  But the major bowed and was not a little confused, while several of those who stood by, cried out “bravo!” and were much diverted.

“Truly, Mr. Commodore,” replied the major, whose head was so thin that he had let every word of the speech I prepared for him get out of it, “as a principle, you may set it down that the weight of an honor is best felt by the man who has deserved it.  In accepting the flattering tribute of respect you offer me, let me say, that although I am no scurvy politician, and have opinions enough of my own, I intend to let history take care of my acts, for the verdict of the nation, which is an exacting tribunal, is rendered in my favor, and if the devil and my enemies only mind their business, there will be no need to meddle with it, as I have heard it said of other men.  And now that I am more a man of acts than words, as no doubt you have read, let me say that I accept this great honor, the sincerity of which is evident in the earnestness with which you offer it, with as many thanks as a man can, hoping that your great metropolis may grow greater and be all you expect of it; and like a chaste and virtuous woman, do you see to her, that she be not exposed to the designs of demagogues, and