Curiosity was on the rack; they forgot to lampoon the government, so engaged were they about the fudge.  The great assembly of the states could think of nothing else.  Instead of enacting laws for the regulation of the people, instead of consulting what should seem most wise, most excellent, they could think, talk, and harangue of nothing but fudge.  In vain did the Speaker call to order; the more checks they got the more extravagant and inquisitive they were.

In short, the populace in many places rose in the most outrageous and tumultuous manner, forced open the granaries in all places in one day, and triumphantly distributed the fudge through the whole empire.

Whether on account of the longing, the great curiosity, imagination, or the disposition of the people, I cannot say—­but they found it infinitely to their taste; ’twas intoxication of joy, satisfaction, and applause.

Finding how much they liked this fudge, I procured another quantity from England, much greater than the former, and cautiously bestowed it over all the kingdom.  Thus were the affections of the people regained; and they, from hence, began to venerate, applaud, and admire my government more than ever.  The following ode was performed at the castle, in the most superb style, and universally admired:—­

     ODE.

     Ye bulls and crickets, and Gog, Magog,
     And trump’ts high chiming anthrophog,
     Come sing blithe choral all in og,
     Caralog, basilog, fog, and bog!

     Great and superb appears thy cap sublime,
     Admired and worshipp’d as the rising sun;
     Solemn, majestic, wise, like hoary Time,
     And fam’d alike for virtue, sense, and fun.

     Then swell the noble strain with song,
     And elegance divine,
     While goddesses around shall throng,
     And all the muses nine.

     And bulls, and crickets, and Gog, Magog,
     And trumpets chiming anthrophog,
     Shall sing blithe choral all in og,
     Caralog, basilog, fog, and bog!

This piece of poetry was much applauded, admired, and encored in every public assembly, celebrated as an astonishing effort of genius; and the music, composed by Minheer Gastrashbark Gkrghhbarwskhk, was thought equal to the sense!—­Never was there anything so universally admired, the summit of the most exquisite wit, the keenest praise, the most excellent music.

“Upon my honour, and the faith I owe my love,” said I, “music may be talked of in England, but to possess the very soul of harmony the world should come to the performance of this ode.”  Lady Fragrantia was at that moment drumming with her fingers on the edge of her fan, lost in a reverie, thinking she was playing upon——­Was it a forte piano?

“No, my dear Fragrantia,” said I, tenderly taking her in my arms while she melted into tears; “never, never, will I play upon any other——!”