persons of your sex are bound to use temperate and proper language in
the presence of ladies.

"Yes, I see you are feminine, by your ornaments--still, you might tell a
fellow who is your boss?"

"I belong, at present, to Colonel Silky, if that is what you mean; but I
presume some fair lady will soon do me the honor of transferring me to
her own wardrobe. No doubt my future employer--is not that the
word?--will be one of the most beautiful and distinguished ladies of
New York."

"No question of that, as money makes both beauty and distinction in this
part of the world, and it's not a dollar that will buy you. COLONEL
Silky? I don't remember the name--which of OUR editors is he?"

{Cooper is ridiculing the habit of newspaper editors of seeking
popularity by serving in the militia and thus receiving the title of
"Colonel"}

"I don't think he is an editor at all. At least, I never heard he was
employed about any publication, and, to own the truth, he does not
appear to me to be particularly qualified for such a duty, either by native
capacity, or, its substitute, education."

"Oh! that makes no great difference--half the corps is exactly in the
same predicament. I'fegs! if we waited for colonels, or editors either, in
this country, until we got such as were qualified, we should get no news,
and be altogether without politics, and the militia would soon be in an
awful state."