he of his uniform, that an attendant placed before him-not a napkin-but a large tablecloth, which so added to the humorous aspect of his face that even the priests present could not resist a smile.  All now proceeded as jubilant as a marriage in Canon.  The general gorged himself as never minister gorged himself before.  Even Mr. Tickler, who sat at his right, looked with astonishment at the skill and alacrity with which his master demolished the various dishes set before him.  As to the punches, highly-spiced cordials, and wines, he mixed them indiscriminately, and drank them with such a rapidity that Tickler became alarmed for the safety of his understanding.  Indeed, it was so evident that his intellect was becoming deranged that the officers ordered the courses hurried as much as possible, for they were anxious to be rid of the priests, before whom they would not for the world have their country’s great representative do aught damaging to his reputation.  When, then, the attendants came to remove the cloth, the general looked up with astonishment, and addressed one of them thus:  “I would not have you stop for me, gentlemen waiters, for I am a slow and dainty eater, and would like another turn at that well-seasoned pie.”  Tickler, who had been no way dainty about the number of glasses he quietly quaffed, touched his master significantly on the elbow.  “Your excellency has need to look well to his manners,” said he, “for those priests have their eyes polished, and are whispering no good.”

“That dish of which your excellency has eaten with so much relish,” rejoined the waiter, “is snale patte, a dish so rare and savory that it is all eaten up:  but if your excellency will be patient we will have some more prepared expressly for him.”

“Heavens, sir! spare yourself the trouble; for if it be such meat I have been eating, why then, to the priests with it; for I shall soon need a doctor.”  The priests overheard this remark, and thereupon arose, returned thanks, and retired.  The chairman rose as soon as they were gone and made a speech, which he addressed to our hero, and with such clever irony that he sent the whole company into a titter.  He congratulated our country on the possession of so famous a diplomatist as General Potter, a gentleman whose name would be a gem in our history, and whose wonderful achievements as a statesman had shed lustre upon our country’s fame.  “We have accompanied him here in safety; we regret to part with him; but feeling that he will prove himself a faithful sentinel of our country’s interests, we devoutly pray that his mission may be an unprecedented round of successes,” said he.  Indeed, he astonished every one present with his facility for paying compliments, and so confused the general that he was at a loss what to say in reply.  In short, he declared government had a rich inheritance in such persons, and was moved by a wise policy in sending abroad gentlemen not encumbered with a whole Babylon of tongues.