THE FRUITS IN CONVENTION. 443 



see by the gossiping and low conversation going on in knots 

 among them, that they were full of little schemes of finesse. On 

 the left, sat the numerous Apple family, with honest, ruddy faces ; 

 and whether Yankee, English, or German, evidently all of the Teu- 

 tonic race. They had a resolute, determined air, as if they had busi- 

 ness of importance on hand. Directly behind the Pears sat the 

 Peaches, mostly ladies, with such soft complexions and finely turned 

 figures as it did one's eyes good to contemplate ; or youths, with the 

 soft down of early manhood on their chins. Apricots and Necta- 

 rines were mingled among them, full of sweet smiles and a honeyed 

 expression about their mouths. The Plums were there, too, dressed 

 in purple and gold, many of them in velvet coats, with a fine downy 

 bloom upon them ; and near them were the Cherries, an arrant, co- 

 quettish set of lasses and lads, the light in their eyes as bright as 

 rubies. The Strawberries sat on low stools in the aisles, overhung 

 and backed by the Grapes, tall fellows, twisting their moustaches 

 (tendrils), and leaning about idly, as if they took but little interest 

 in the proceedings. The only sour faces in the crowd were those of 

 a knot of Morello Cherries and Dutch Currants, who took every 

 occasion to hiss any speaker not in favor. 



We said this was a convention of fruits ; but we ought also tc 

 add that the fruits looked extremely like human beings. On re- 

 marking this to our guide, he quietly said, " Of course, you know 

 you see them now in their spiritual forms. If you half close your eyes, 

 you will find you recognize them all in their everyday, familiar 

 shapes." And so indeed we did, and were shaking hands warmly 

 with our neighbors and friends the Beurres, and Pippins, and Pear- 

 mams, when we were interrupted by the speaker, calling the meet- 

 ing to order. 



The Speaker (on giving him the blinlc), we found to be a fine 

 large specimen of the Boston Russet, with a dignified expression, and 

 a certain bland air of one accustomed to preside. He returned 

 thanks very handsomely to the convention for the honor of the 

 chair ; assuring them that having been bred in the land of steady 

 habits, he would do all in his power to maintain order and expedite 

 the business of the convention. We noticed, as he sat down, that 

 there were vice-presidents from every State, many of them old and 



