“This is a pretty exhibition of the manner of administering justice!” exclaimed the indignant Dunscomb. “Long as I have been at the bar, I had no conception that such practices prevailed. At all events, this illegality will give a fair occasion to demand a new trial.” “Ay, the sharpest lawyer that ever crossed Harlem bridge can l’arn something in old Duke’s,” said Johnson, nodding “’Squire Timms will stand to _that_. As for new trials, I only wonder the lawyers don’t get one each time they are beaten; for the law would bear them out.” “I should like to know how, Master Johnson,” put in Timms. “That would be a secret worth knowing.” “A five-dollar note will buy it.” “There’s one of ten—now, tell me your secret.” “Well, ’Squire, you _be_ a gentleman, whatever folks may say and think of you. I’d rather do business with you, by one-half, than do business with Williams; notwithstanding he has such a name, up and down the country. Stick to it, and you’ll get the nomination to the Sinat’; and the nomination secured, you’re sure of the seat. Nomination is the government of Ameriky; and that’s secured by a wonderful few!” “I believe you are more than half right, Johnson”—Here Dunscomb, his nephew, and Millington left the office, quite unnoticed by the two worthies, who had entered on a subject as engrossing as that of Timms’s elevation to the Senate. And, by the way, as this book is very likely to be introduced to the world, it may be well enough to explain that we have two sorts of “Senates” in this country; wheels within wheels. There is the Senate of each State, without an exception now, we believe; and there is the Senate of the United States; the last being, in every sense, much the most dignified and important body. It being unfortunately true, that “nominations” are the real people of America, unless in cases which arouse the nation, the State Senates very often contain members altogether unsuited to their trusts; men who have obtained their seats by party legerdemain; and who had much better, on their own account, as well as on that of the public, be at home attending to their own private affairs. This much may be freely said by any citizen, of a State Senate, a collection of political partisans that commands no particular respect; but, it is very different with that of the United States; and we shall confine ourselves to saying, in reference to that body, which it is the fashion of the times to reverence as the most illustrious political body on earth, that it is not quite as obnoxious to this judgment as the best of its sisterhood of the several States; though very far from being immaculate, or what with a little more honesty in political leaders, it might be. “I believe you are half right, Johnson,” answered Timms—“Nomination _is_ the government in this country; liberty, people, and all! Let a man get a nomination on the _right_ side, and he’s as good as elected. But, now for this mode of getting new trials, Johnson?”