one expects mischief from kites and eagles, but to be squirted to death by understrappers, would provoke as dull a dog as Phillips himself.”*

Flowerdale laughed, but De Vere asked if he did not think it horrible?

"You do not, I see, like it," observed Flowerdale.

"I know not if it most frightens, disgusts, or affronts me," answered De Vere.

"These are but slight evils after all," observed Sir William; " and here also there can, and ought to be, no sweeping condemnations. There may, and must be honourable seconds, as well as honourable principals."

"I agree," said De Vere; " and were all, for example, like yourself, ministers would have more justice done them. But an honourable man will not easily stoop to subordinate presumption, which throws a sort of discredit, unjust as it may be, on the chiefs themselves. No! I would be buried fifty fathom deep first."

The baronet again smiled at his eager indignation, and coolly said, "This at least ought not to drive you from politics."

"I fear," answered De Vere," it will not

See Pope's Works, xi. 67.

cure the unbending disposition, which you set out with blaming.”

"Well," observed Flowerdale mildly; "I will allow you what jealousy you please towards your brother subalterns that are to be; but I trust I need not caution you to be less stiff towards general officers, particularly the general on whose staff you may happen to find yourself."

"I trust I shall know, and, knowing, perform my duty," said De Vere.

"From my heart I believe you intend it," answered Flowerdale; "but forgive me if I remind you that once entered on service, the civil is like the military superior-he will require obedience, not opinion. And trust me, for a subaltern to disagree with his chief, whether of a party, or in office, nothing can be more inconvenient, I had almost said more dangerous."

66

Dangerous to what? is the question," said

De Vere.

net.

"To his advancement," answered the baro

"The advancement I seek,” replied De Vere, with some dignity," is not that whieh is to bei purchased by the surrender of one's good faith."

"If by good faith is meant opinions," observed the man of years, with a smile, " my meaning rather is, that there should be no faith at all, except in one's patron."

"I now understand you," said De Vere, with great earnestness," and it is fit, if you will bear with me, that as to myself, I undeceive you. That I must serve at my years is clear; since I have nothing heaven-born about me, either civil or military. But, with submission, there is a difference between a chief and a patron. The first, when placed under him, I will of course obey, as an officer obeys the general set over him by his prince; but in the train of the last I will never be found."

"Go on," said Sir William, pleased with his energy.

"If I am admitted on a staff, on account of my opinions," continued De Vere, "cheerfully will I give my obedience; but if I am to form, to change, or to renounce opinions, because I am on the staff, adieu (and willingly) to the advancement you speak of. And this is what I conceive no enlightened statesman, no generous leader of a party, no liberal head of office, but would as readily grant, as I should require it.”

"This is all excellent," cried Sir William,

catching a little of the spirit of his pupil; in truth, neither accustomed nor expecting to meet with so much reason in his fire. "Let me,

however, apprise you of what few young senators, when they come into office, seem aware of, but which they nevertheless feel, as you, of all others, seem formed to feel it."

"For heaven's sake what ?"

"In the House, you fancy yourselves equal to your future chief: nay, in your vote, your freedom of speech, and sometimes possibly in your powers, you are so. But out of the House all is metamorphosed. From having had a free partnership, as it were, in a subject, you are reduced to be a mere clerk; must be simply a hand, and whatever business is confided to you, 'give it an understanding, but no tongue.' Thus, from a supposed high-minded ɛtatesman in the senate, counselling, if not directing affairs, it is even your duty to become a passive instrument and a mute. Are you prepared to be such a person? to be always directed, never consulted ?"

The picture is certainly not inviting," said De Vere," and I see it must depend upon the character of the chief, to make the lot of the subaltern dignified and happy, or commonly bear

able. But are there not such chiefs (observe, I do not say patrons) as I have imagined? Men, who from having liberally served, have taught themselves liberally to command ?”

"There are," said Sir William; "and amongst the highest and most gifted of our governors. There are also of an opposite cast."

"The first alone are the men I will court," replied De Vere. "Let those seek masters (nor do I blame them) who are obliged to seek bread. And now," continued he, relaxing from the sort of severity into which he had fallen, and with even a laugh on his cheek," tell me some other of your general rules."

“Whether with chief or patron," replied the Nestor, "not to miscalculate one's strength, nor suppose, because one cannot follow, that therefore one can lead."

"An excellent distinction," cried De Vere ; "and what would be the consequence ?"

"Such men are whistled down the wind, and heard of no more."

," said De

"Ambition that o'erleaps itself," "

Vere.

"Exactly so."

"But even with persons of seeming weight, nay, even of talents," continued Sir William,