"Pray, sir," said I, trembling lest my BOSS might be a colonel of the
editorial corps, after all--"pray, sir," said I, "is it expected in this country
that the wardrobe should entertain the political sentiments of its boss?"

"I rather think not, unless it might be in high party times; or, in the case
of editors, and such extreme patriots. I have several relatives that
belong to the corps, and they all tell me that while their bosses very
frequently change their coats, they are by no means so particular about
changing their shirts. But you are of foreign birth, ma'am, I should think
by your dress and appearance?"

{change their coats.... = i.e., editors frequently change political sides,
but they are not very careful about their personal hygiene}

"Yes, sir, I came quite recently from France; though, my employer being
American, I suppose I am entitled to the rights of citizenship. Are you
European, also?"

"No, ma'am; I am native and to the 'MANOR born,' as the modern
Shakspeare has it. Is Louis Philippe likely to maintain the throne, in
France?"

{'manor born' = from "to the manner born" Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act
I, Scene 4, line 2--frequently misquoted in popular speech as "to the
manor born"}

"That is not so certain, sir, by what I learn, as that the throne is likely to
maintain Louis Philippe. To own the truth to you, I am a Carlist, as all
genteel articles are, and I enter but little into the subject of Louis
Philippe's reign."