“Faith, an’ the neame atween the two’s no matter onyhow!” rejoined Mr. Alderman Dooley, who, having left the two great men to themselves, again took to the bottle, and continued serving himself and his friend with an experience in every way worthy of so great an alderman.

“Pray, sir,” said Fernando, with a gracious smile, “take nothing amiss that our worthy friend says.”  And here he blushed, and seemed not a little mortified at the pranks of his favorite alderman, though they were natural enough to the condition he was in.  “He means well,” resumed the mayor, dryly, “and is an honest alderman, though given to drink at times.  And now, since fortune has been so kind as to grant me the opportunity of paying my respects to one so worthy of admiration, let me congratulate you upon your safe arrival in the city.  I have the power, and it will be my pleasure to see that the public acknowledgements you have merited are properly bestowed.”  The major here interrupted by reminding the mayor that he had, on the advice of a very good friend, declined all public ovations.

“As to that,” continued Fernando, “fashion has made it necessary to say these little things; for a great man is never so great as when he seeks to avoid homage.  And we are not always bound to say what we mean.”

“As to my greatness, sir,” replied the major, “I will leave that to others; for it is no trifling thing for a man who has done all he can for his country to be snuffed out by the envious pen of some rascally scribbler for the newspapers.  Let us think well of ourselves, and leave the rest to our friends.”

“Truly, major, you are of my way of thinking, for that is precisely what I do.”

“And because you do, you have risen to your present proud position!” interposed the major.  “Being a military man, I would have you know that I am no flatterer, but a man who loves peace, and hates the devil and all his arrogant vassals.  Your fame, sir, has gone over the land; and as to your greatness, I bow to that, for I have heard many good men testify to it; and now that I see it with my own eyes, written all down the length of your person, no man shall speak ill of you-in my presence!  And as you have embarked in great undertakings, may heaven grant you power to carry them to a successful issue.”

“As what you have said concerns me much, accept my thanks; for it is the good opinion of men like yourself that pleases me.  I have now many difficulties on hand, it is true; but when I have conquered, and shown myself superior to my enemies, I will lay up my sword, give my hand to the people, and my heart to enjoining heaven to grant me repose.  The bent of my ambition, sir, would have no difficulty in finding its way but for those wonderful men, the editors, who lay a new born child at my door every day, and think it no harm to set the country by the ears, though they are glad enough when men of our stamp step in to conciliate matters.”