“Well, the day arrived on which Smooth was to dine with Citizen George, and not the smallest idea had he of meeting another stray citizen.  Happy in the enjoyment of our own greatness, Smooth expected to learn something of Uncle George’s opinions upon international questions in general, and to give him in return some account of General Pierce’s crooked notions of a national policy—­so crooked, indeed, that they left him alike the laughing-stock of friends and foes.  This was very easily done, for, being Mr. Pierce’s special minister to everywhere in general, and more particularly to Europe, where he invested him (Smooth) with power to draw up preliminaries for the ‘Ostend Convention,’ as well as to cut a figure on behalf of Young America, the power thus given made the divulging Mr. Pierce’s policy no breach of confidence.  As for Young America, that very unassuming young gentleman was being gloriously represented by the very famous house of the three S.’s and Co. (Sickles, Saunders, Souley, Buckhanan & Co.), the latter very respectable gentleman having been received into the firm with the specific understanding that he sell out his large stock of old fogyism, and invest the proceeds in manifest destiny.

“Nothing is so easily attained as the flattery of small men; and yet no essence is more delicious to the soul of a sycophant, for it is he that loves to refresh his recreant spirit with human frailty.  Mr. Pierce’s comprehensive and very elastic mind had not yet made a point of analysing this as properly as it was capable of being.

“Doing himself (Smooth) up in his very best fixings, he chartered a steamboat—­that is, he got aboard a steamboat—­and in the company of our very gallant Secretary of Legation (who has since joined the very excellent and honorable order of doubtful politicians), paid his pennies and steamed away for Blackwall.  Here he and his friend sought the Brunswick, a very grand hotel, where now and then the vulgar do dine, and console their love of fashion with much show of dishes and very aristocratic prices.  And now, to Smooth’s utter astonishment, on being bowed into a gorgeous hall by lackies in ordinary, who stood like tailored mummies along the halls and passages, he found it taken possession of by some hundred and fifty of both sexes, gaily attired, and altogether presenting the brightness of a bridal party.  There were knights and baronets, great and small; some wore an insignia, but nothing else to distinguish them from the very vulgar.  And, too, there was Sir William Busey, a good diner-out, and always ready to do such noble deeds.  All stiff and staid, sallied up and down Sir James Muke, affecting to feel much annoyed because vulgar citizens would not regard him in the same distinguished light in which he contemplated himself.  Indeed, were Sir James’s manners taken in evidence of his distinguished position, the verdict could not fail to be in favor of his only being set down a very distinguished bore.  However, on the principle of forgiveness being sweet, did Smooth forgive Sir James, and charge his manners to defect of early bringing up.