to nothing but the most refined and wealthy society-that which gave receptions merely for the sake of doing honor to persons so distinguished.  Genin sent circulars to say that hats of the latest pattern could be got cheaper and better of him than any one else.  Tiffany & Company, in a delicately enveloped card, reminded me, (for Mrs. Potter’s sake, no doubt,) that their stock of jewelry was of the finest description.  Ball & Black sent to say that swords and other appurtenances necessary to a military gentleman could be got of them, much superior in quality, and cheaper in price, than at any other establishment in Broadway, or, indeed, in the city.  Stewart, I was told, had just opened an invoice of India shawls, which he had ticketed at twenty-five hundred dollars each.  But as his motto was quick sales and small profits, he was running them off at two hundred dollars less.  It was hinted that Mrs. Major Potter better call early or they would all be gone.  Had Mrs. Major Potter been the sharer of my adventure, and exhibited so wanton a determination to rush her husband into bankruptcy, as it appeared was the fashion with the ladies of New York, then Mr. Major Potter had gone one way and Mrs. Major Potter another.”

Here the major gave his whip two or three smart cracks, and bid old Battle proceed at a more rapid pace, as his appetite caused him to make sundry contemplations about the dinner he would get at the house of Mrs. Trotbridge.

“Well, seeing that I was up and popular,” said the major, resuming his story, “Townsend piled my room with circulars, saying his sarsaparilla was the only kind used by politicians and military men, who invariably pronounced it the cure for those diseases which, it is charged by a Spanish writer, of great learning, are incident to their professions.  Brandreth sent me samples of his pills, which he said were unequaled for purging politicians of all those ill humors they were heirs to.  And both (moved by Brown, no doubt) sent me invitations to parties given in honor of me at their princely mansions on the Fifth Avenue.  Barnum, too, considering me a remarkable curiosity, sent two tickets to his great show house, which the vulgar called a museum.  And the Misses Whalebone & Gossamer sent to say that their assortment of baby clothes was of the choicest description, and that they would be much pleased if Mrs. Major Potter would call and examine for herself.

“As I was always considered a good looking man,” (the major, though as ugly a man as could well be found, was extremely vain of his looks,) “no end of sly looks were turned upon me at parties by marriageable damsels, who mistook me for a single man on the look out.  As to young widows, why, the tears hung as temptingly in their eyes as pearls.  Whether they were for me or their deceased husbands, I am not bound to say, self praise being no recommendation.  It often occurred to me, however, that marrying a widow would be an act of charity heaven could not fail to record to the credit of any good natured bachelor.