218 THE HISTORY OF 



my listeners never have enjoyed the dulcet tone df that 

 chicken's tender 'peep,' — if any of you are strangers to 

 the habits aiid beauties and innocence of these rare but 

 graceful birds, — if you have never listened to the melody 

 of their musical crow, from youth to green old age, — I will 

 only say, procure some of the genuine specimens, and there 

 is much of joy and happiness yet in store for yourselves, 

 your wives, your children, or your friends, — if you chance 

 to have any." (Applause, and marked'sensation.) 



" Mr. President, I am no speech-maker. Had I, for one 

 moment, supposed that / should have been thought of, by 

 this talented and well-informed audience, I should not have 

 been present here, I assure you. But, sir, my fame pre- 

 ceded me here. I 'm a poor but honest man ; and modesty, 

 sir, that native modesty which so preeminently character- 

 izes your own composition, Mr. President (had I suspected 

 that 1 should have been called upon), would have prompted 

 me to have left to others the pleasing task of speaking of 

 me and mme. Still, if my friends ' will buckle fortune on 

 my back, whether I will or no,' I can only say that I feel 

 impressed that the duty and moral obligations I owe to 

 society compel me to submit to the burthen, with the best 

 possible grace at my humble command." (Deep sensation 

 among the audience ; the ladies, for the most part, in tears.) 



" But,^sir, the future is before us ! The brilliant star 

 of fortune still shines in the distance, for the encouragement 



