CHAPTER XXX. 



baenum's innate diffidence. 



As soon as the vociferous cheering had subsided, Mr. 

 Bamum reached the foot-Ughts, and smiled beneficently 

 upon the crowd before him. 



" Ladies and Gentlemen," said the show-man, mod- 

 estly, " unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, you will 

 pardon me, imprimis, for hinting at the extreme diflSdence 

 with which I now rise to address you ; and I am sur/ that, 

 notwithstanding the commendable zeal that now animates 

 this enlightened audience, you will sympathize with me in 

 the midst of the embarrassments under which you must 

 readily perceive I am laboring, and extend to the speaker 

 your lenity (all unused, as you are aware he is, to this sort 

 of scene), while he ventures upon a few very brief remarks 

 on the interesting and laudably-exciting topic that has 

 brought us together here, on this happy occasion." 



This modest appeal brought down the house, of course ; 

 and the bashful Mr. B., after clearing his throat, was 

 requested by the crowd to "Go on, Bamum ! Proceed — 

 put 'er through ! " 



