It told
brilliantly; for the bystanders were delighted, and one of them said to
Martin, 'that he guessed he had now seen something of the eloquential
aspect of our country, and was chawed up pritty small.'
Mr Pogram waited until his hearers were calm again, before he said to
Mark:
'You do not seem to coincide, sir?'
'Why,' said Mark, 'I didn't like him much; and that's the truth, sir. I
thought he was a bully; and I didn't admire his carryin' them murderous
little persuaders, and being so ready to use 'em.'
'It's singler!' said Pogram, lifting his umbrella high enough to
look all round from under it. 'It's strange! You observe the settled
opposition to our Institutions which pervades the British mind!'
'What an extraordinary people you are!' cried Martin. 'Are Mr Chollop
and the class he represents, an Institution here? Are pistols with
revolving barrels, sword-sticks, bowie-knives, and such things,
Institutions on which you pride yourselves? Are bloody duels, brutal
combats, savage assaults, shooting down and stabbing in the streets,
your Institutions! Why, I shall hear next that Dishonour and Fraud are
among the Institutions of the great republic!'
The moment the words passed his lips, the Honourable Elijah Pogram
looked round again.
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