When the chairman had finished his speech the general rose with great pomp and circumstance to reply.  He cast a wild and confused look about him, and then paused as if to collect his thoughts.  “It must not be said of me that making speeches is not one of my functions, for, as your honor knows, I have made a score of them recently; but that which I just now had so pat at my tongue’s end, and was just the speech for you, has got right out of my head, which just now feels like a split mountain.  What you say of my services to my country is true enough; for I am none of your thieving politicians, but a man who acts under the patronage of honesty, which heaven knows is enough for any patriot.  Faith of my father! and I can tell you that these expressions of sincerity and esteem gratify me much, for they are like so many suns and stars in the firmament of my glory-”

“If your excellency would only throw in a little of the Latin,” interrupted Mr. Tickler, in a whisper; “such another chance will not offer these three years.”  But he resumed, heedless of the admonition:  “And I would have every man who goes abroad carry his country in his pocket, not forgetting to take it out now and then for the purpose of worship.”  The speaker here became confused, and after making several ineffectual efforts to continue, settled into his chair and held his peace, as the commander and most of the guests took their departure, much gratified with the evening’s entertainment.  The general was now left with the officers and his secretary.  And these fine young gentlemen were so bent on mischief that they pledged the “ambassador” and Mr. Tickler in bumpers, and with such rapidity that both were soon in a state of stupefaction.  And for the nonce they laid the general full length upon the table.  Mr. Tickler they placed in a sort of pillory with his hands and feet secured, his face painted most hideously, and the stuffed image of a huge Indian of savage aspect, fronting him, his spear poised.

And now, when it was passed midnight; when every snake in Buzabub had coiled himself up, shut his eyes and gone quietly to sleep; when pestering centipedes, lizards, and cockroaches were gone peaceably to their holes; and not even a monkey winked, lest he disturb the elements, which were hushed into perfect silence,-there might have been seen at the door of the inn no less an animal than old Battle, harnessed to a vehicle quite resembling those hearses used in the villages of New Jersey, and presenting in the pale moonlight a figure both forlorn and ludicrous.  And this was further increased by a figure representing Death, mounted upon the poor animal, with his scythe and glass adjusted-the whole presenting a picture of death very like that described in Revelations as seated upon the pale horse.  The face of the figure was deathly pale, his raiment was a sheet, and a tall, white cap was on his head; and for the rest he was in his buff.  On the hinder part of the vehicle a figure of Time