the Rights of Man, and the Forefathers in the Revolution; about Constituents who do not constitute.  The High Heavens allow it and smile, and it is well for the atoms that they think themselves free American representatives, that they do not feel the string of predestination around their ankles.  The senatorial twenty, from their high carved seats, see the strings and smile, too; yes, and see their own strings, and smile.  Wisdom does not wish for flight.  “The people” having changed the constitution, the blackbirds are reduced from four and forty to a score.  This is cheaper—­for the people.

Democracy on the front of the stage before an applauding audience; performers absorbed in their parts, forgetting that the landlord has to be paid in money yet to be earned.  Behind the stage, the real play, the absorbing interest, the high stakes—­occasional discreet laughter through the peep-hole when an actor makes an impassioned appeal to the gods.  Democracy in front, the Feudal System, the Dukes and Earls behind—­but in plain clothes; Democracy in stars and spangles and trappings and insignia.  Or, a better figure, the Fates weaving the web in that mystic chamber, Number Seven, pausing now and again to smile as a new thread is put in.  Proclamations, constitutions, and creeds crumble before conditions; the Law of Dividends is the high law, and the Forum an open vent through which the white steam may rise heavenward and be resolved again into water.

Mr. Crewe took his seat in the popular assemblage next day, although most of the five hundred gave up theirs to the ladies who had come to hear his Excellency deliver his inaugural.  The Honourable Asa made a splendid figure, all agreed, and read his speech in a firm and manly voice.  A large part of it was about the people; some of it about the sacred government they had inherited from their forefathers; still another concerned the high character and achievements of the inhabitants within the State lines; the name of Abraham Lincoln was mentioned, and, with even greater reverence and fervour, the Republican party which had ennobled and enriched the people—­and incidentally elected the governor.  There was a noble financial policy, a curtailment of expense.  The forests should be protected, roads should be built, and, above all, corporations should be held to a strict accounting.

Needless to say, the speech gave great satisfaction to all, and many old friends left the hall exclaiming that they didn’t believe Asa had it in him.  As a matter of fact (known only to the initiated), Asa didn’t have it in him until last night, before he squeezed through the crack in the folding doors from room number six to room Number Seven.  The inspiration came to him then, when he was ennobled by the Governor-general, who represents the Empire.  Perpetual Governor-general, who quickens into life puppet governors of his own choosing Asa has agreed, for the honour of the title of governor of his State,