to him-Como, a dexada una cosa di importancia por una ceremonia! How, have you left a business of importance for a ceremony ! The ambassador boldly replied: Como! por una ceremonia! Vuessa majesta misma no, es sin una ceremonia.-How! for a ceremony! your majesty's self is but a ceremony.

CHARLES XII. of Sweden (although himself a king, and not very well to pass for sense even among them) was so sensible of this, that when, after an absence of fourteen years from his capital, his regency, uncertain whether he was alive or not, wished to make peace with the ezar of Russia, and king of Denmark, contrary to his inclination, he wrote to them, that he would send them one of his jackboots, to which they might apply for orders!! Indeed where a king is such a madman as he showed himself to have been, happier would be the people if a jackboot filled up the regal ceremony; especially if the king jackboot should happen to have as faithful and able a minister assigned to it, as a certain canine viceroy, of which we are going to tell a story:

A KING OF TEN THOUSAND,

AND

A FAITHFUL MINISTER.

A CERTAIN Mandarin, who Johor rul'd,
(Viceroy of SAON MAHON, Siam's king),

With such an iron rod the people school'd,
That to the grind-stone they his nose did bring.

Proud, silly Saon Mahon, at the news,

Splutters out two, or three great hearty d--mns: "He'll make the Johor women bleat like ewes, "When cruel butchers take away their lambs."

Then off he march'd, with such prodigious force, As struck the men of Johor with dismay; They tamely saw each leader's mangled corse, Trampled by elephants, bestrew the way.

They also heard great Saon Mahon roar"Vile reptiles! since to anger thus ye dare "Me, the White Elephant's dread king; no more "A man shall rule ye, but my dog, I swear!

"Prostrate, ye wretches! BARKOUT, thee we place "On Johor's throne-our representative; "With teeth and claws sway this rebellious race, "Who grumbles, not a moinent let him live.

"MANI the post of minister shall fill,

"Whose zeal by us so often has been tried." Mani was wise ;-he knew the despot's will Was law;-so, bowing humbly, thus replied:

"O mighty king of Siam, your viceroy

"Will for his service find no want of zeal; "The master, he, his genius must employ"The servants we, to guide the public weal."

Mani then turn'd towards the dog, and bow'd
Thrice to the ground, and bark'd in humble tone;
Barkout, with ears erect, replied so loud,

No other royal speech so shook a throne.

The viceroy's eloquence, the premier's skill
In languages, surpris'd the abject crew;
With shouts of joy and loud acclaims they fill
The air, and to the skies their turbans flew.

Nor vain their hopes;-the docile dog was won
By kindness to pursue sage Mani's plan;
Ne'er slumber'd later than the rising sun-
The levée o'er, the council board began.

Mani propos'd the question for debate,
Each member freely his opinion spoke;
The viceroy bark'd, and Mani did translate
His wise decision-up the council broke,

Now to his subjects, patient audience giv❜n,
He prudent granted-courteously refus'd;
No minister and viceroy, under heav'n,
So gen'ral satisfaction e'er diffus'd!

This done, they serv'd up dinner, neat but plain-
A paunch, a pluck, sheep's-head, or some such things;
No ancient hero, Arthur, Charlemagne,

Laid on so well—not even Homer's kings.

Next-out to exercise the troops he'd draw,
Or, in the park, hunt to digest his meal;
Then sign dispatches with his well-ink'd paw-
At once the royal signature and seal.

All business o'er-familiarly he barks
With Mani, till the supper is prepar'd;
Then early goes to rest, to rise with larks,—
Thus ev'ry day this faithful guardian far’d.

Such royal industry and tempʼrance prov'd
What good by good examples may be wrought;
Mani corrected, though he ne'er reprov'd,
And into life the torpid province brought.

Good kings too soon are gone!-It so mischanc'd,
A horde barbarian, from Malacca's coast,
Landing, spread death wherever they advanc'd➡
Barkout soon headed all his warlike host.

Knowing no more of tactics than a horse

Not more, perhaps, than our brave **** ** **** He left his generals to take their course:

"Twas wise-let soldiers do a soldier's work.

Not to be idle, through the ranks he ran,

Arm'd only with brass collar, teeth, and claws;Charg'd, 'mongst the foremost, through the Malay van, And gave no quarter with his slaught'ring jaws.

The Malays fly-the Johor victor's shout-
(Ah, cruel fate! why didst thou so ordain ?)
A poison'd arrow strikes the brave Barkout-
In vict'ry's arms he bites th' ensanguin'd plain.

The victors mourn'd their conquest too dear bought : Grief and despair throughout the province spread; Sable-clad deputies the tidings brought

To Siam's king, with Mani at their head.

Thus Mani spoke :-"Great king, that specter'd elf, "Grim death hath seiz'd our father, your viceroy; "Nay, I had almost said, your other self— "Your gift inestimable, our sole joy!

"He for your people liv'd-in battle died;

"In their defence, and for your glory slain;

"A Mandarin successor, swol❜n with pride, "Would for good Barkout's loss renew their pain.