AN EFFECTIVE PIECE OF COMPOSITION. 313 



" Most poteut, grave, and reverend signiors," was, 

 therefore, the form employed. Then followed a 

 string of the most elaborate compliments which 

 occurred to either member of the committee, free 

 use being made of bulbuls, roses, streams of delight, 

 &c. The body of the letter came next, stating that 

 the writer proposed visiting his heart-delight-giving 

 and most illustrious friends on the morrow. It 

 concluded in a style presenting an agreeable con- 

 trast to the commencement, an approximation to 

 the diplomatic form being here considered the most 

 natural and expressive. " Accept, most illustrious 

 and world-famous cliief, the assurances of the very 

 summit of my respect and the extremest altitude 

 of my most distinguished consideration." The 

 missive was signed " Donald Mackenzie, of that 

 ilk." 



"That's a pretty and effective little piece of 

 composition, I think," said Mackenzie, as he eyed 

 their joint work with much satisfaction. " If ever 

 the chief shows it to any passing English traveller, 

 I flatter myself it will be appreciated." 



" I hope it will be preserved among the family 

 archives," observed Norman. " It would be a 

 highly satisfactory document to be perused by some 

 descendant yet unborn of cultivated mind and 

 English linguistic attainments." 



