should have at least shown my sense of the greatness of the subject
before the House's consideration, and the nature of the
distinguished audience I have the honour to address. I am, sir, a
plain man--born of the people--myself one of the people, having won,
thank Heaven, an honourable fortune and position by my own honest
labour; and standing here as I do--"

* * *

Here Mr. Scully (it may be said that he never made a speech without
bragging about himself: and an excellent plan it is, for people
cannot help believing you at last)--here, I say, Mr. Scully, who had
one arm raised, felt himself suddenly tipped on the shoulder, and
heard a voice saying, "Your money or your life!"

The honourable gentleman twirled round as if he had been shot; the
papers on which a great part of this impromptu was written dropped
from his lifted hand, and some of them were actually borne on the
air into neighbouring gardens. The man was, in fact, in the direst
fright.

"It's only I," said Perkins, with rather a forced laugh, when he saw
the effect that his wit had produced.

"Only you! And pray what the dev--what right have you to--to come
upon a man of my rank in that way, and disturb me in the midst of
very important meditations?" asked Mr. Scully, beginning to grow
fierce.

"I want your advice," said Perkins, "on a matter of the very