INQ,UI5ITIVEN£SS. 



^i 



politics, I ciigioii, &:c. Sec. which generally cousiimes 

 two hours. If I can escape with an hour's audi- 

 ence of this kind, I think myself well off— and all 

 this is managed in a style so truly diplomatic and 

 respectful, that it is impossible to take odence. 

 A direct* interrogatory is rarely put, and I some- 

 times amuse myself by baftling the question, and 

 increasing the impatience of unsatisfied curiosity. 

 For instance, I frequently apply a negative to 

 every question. Did you come from France, sir ? 

 No. From Holland.^ No. From England? No. 

 From Scotland? No. From Ireland? I can't say. 

 From the Westindies ? 1 don't know. From Mas- 

 sachusetts? No. From Nantucket ? No. From 

 Cape Cod ? No. Then, exclaimed the impatient 

 inquirer, where in the world did you come from ? 

 From beyond the Atlantic, sir. This silenced 

 the man for some time^ — but again he rallied his 

 forces, and presented his questions in another 

 shape. Let me see, said he, you have somewhat 

 of the tone of a Yorkshire man, or a Scotchman. 

 May be, sir. Ts it true, said he, that the potatoes 

 of your country, Ireland, are better than ours ? 

 Humph — said I. How long were you coming from 

 Cork, sir? Humph — said I. Is your sovereign, 

 George 4th, as wise as his father? Go and see. Did 

 you see counsellor Sampson, your countryman, in 

 New-York ? Yes, said I, but I do not admit that I 

 am an Irishman. Do you know Gideon Grange? 



