beauties of his art, that he produced the scene with the merits of a poem called Hiawatha under consideration.  Each pig waited the signal of approval or disapproval from Duncan, and according to his verdict, either fell upon and grievously soiled the poem, or grunted in one string of praise as they danced round it.  And the audience understanding the logic of this, the performance proved highly entertaining.  Indeed, renowned tragedians, very popular low comedians, leading business ladies, whose fame had been made for twenty years, and singing ladies who hailed from no less a place than the Covent Garden Opera, London, were driven by the pig mania into Poverty Lodge, from whence they sneeringly declared that no better proof of the low standard of public taste could be afforded.

And now, while pondering over the letter received from his wife, Polly, and feeling as if he could kiss her a thousand times, and entreat her to bear with him, since this time he was sure of success, and would return to her so much exalted that the whole village would turn out to do him homage, Barnum entered, and without further ceremony declared himself so enamored of the pig, whose success with the public was unprecedented, that he cheerfully paid down the amount of the closing engagement, and produced a paper which proved to be a re‰ngagement at an advance of terms, that so completely satisfied the general, that he signed it without further hesitation.  The showman being a advocate of temperance, declined General Potter’s invitation to join him over a punch; and being a man of business, took his departure as soon as he had perfected the re‰ngagement, promising to keep the pig’s birthplace and antecedents a profound secret.  And when he was gone, the general took fifty dollars of the money paid him, and sate down to write the following letter in reply to that received from his wife Polly:  “St. Nicholas Hotel, New York, June -, 185-.  “My dear wife Polly: 

“Your letter is just received, and grieves me enough, God knows.  You must know, dear Polly, that riches are not got in a day, nor is fame gained in a week, though a man may be popular and not have money enough to get a shilling dinner.  And truly, since I arrived here, so much honor has been showered upon me that my shoulders are scarce broad enough to carry it all.  As for those who make up the government of this great city, I have come to think they are not to be trusted; for if my good nature would recompense them for the respect they have shown me, my common sense is not to be shut up with gilded doors when I see men much given to strong drink and breaking one another’s heads, which it seems to me is the fashion with these high office gentlemen.  I now send you fifty dollars, which will comfort you for a time; remember, I will send you some more when less engaged with matters concerning the public.  Give each a little, just to keep matters quiet; but be careful not to let one of them know how much you