The Adventures of My Cousin SmoothTempleton, Timothy
General
The Adventures of My Cousin Smooth
Templeton, Timothy
Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 -- Humor; United States -- Politics and government -- 1853-1857
the two greatest and most enlightened peoples on earth--the man whom I
am compelled to view as the greatest living diplomatist of _the
hage!_' Here the company, with one accord, made a bow, while Sir
Matthew interrupted his lordship by whispering, 'Nicholas of All the
Russias excepted!' His lordship, with a peremptory glance at Sir
Matthew, the meaning of which it was not easy to mistake, continued,
somewhat testily:--'I will make no single exception for any such
renegade!' Turning to the chairman, he reminded minded him of Sir
Matthew's rejoinder, which he assured him he could not consider,
unless indeed he sacrificed the high functions of that great office to
which the voice of a people true to their traditions, and Providence,
had so significantly called him at this all momentous moment--the
breaking out of an Eastern war! 'No less surprized than hoverjoyed am
I to meet so _respectable looking_ an assemblage of citizens of that
great country in the West, which we naturally view as the exponent of
true independence, as well as our great hoffspring. Would _hi_, as
the great representative of this city, be saying too much while
asserting that in my 'umble opinion no one part of this expansive
hearth (great applause) could send forth so respectable and orderly an
assemblage of persons.' The ladies here shouted, and waved their
handkerchiefs. Having received this distinguished compliment with due
dignity, he commenced drawing aside the curtain that we might know
more of his early history, which he felt assured in his own mind could
not fail to hinterest the citizens of the United States in general,
seeing that he belonged not to the 'haristocracy.' (This was received
with a perfect explosion of applause.) In the days of his youth, when
geographies were made without reference to correctness, and the study
of globes was considered equal to the minds of those only who were
learned enough to raise the devil, had he been taught from one of
those imperfect pasteboards that Hamerica was an immense expanse of
forests, inhabited by wild Hindians and curiously formed
barbarians. And the impression thus made, he assured Mr. Smooth in
particular, had so enrooted itself in his mind that he ever and anon
found himself most mysteriously contemplating the want of a state of
civilization in that great and glorious country. (Deafening
applause). Here his lordship's animation was at the highest pressure;
indeed so high was it, that a very respectable gentleman, sitting not
far from Smooth, bowed, and suggested that the little Lord Mayor must
have mistaken the present company for his dining senate. 'Now,'
continued his worship, emphatically, 'nothing could more happily 'ave
affected a change in my mind, than the beholding with my own eyes the
lovely fair ones and respectable persons here present. To that great
country, Hamerica, shall I hereafter look for the noblest results to
civilization and mankind. (Cheers). It is now nearly two 'undred years
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account