animation. "It does him great credit, in my estimation! But, Colonel, I cannot agree with you in thinking Mr. Parker, poor!"
"No?"
"No, indeed! in my regard, no man in our country is poor, who possesses health, education, and an unblemished reputation!"
In the library of the only representative of the British government in this country—and he was the lineal representative, as well, of one of the oldest, wealthiest and most aristocratic of noble English families—whose guest I remember to have been, I found great numbers of books, which he had brought with him from home, but they were arranged upon simple, unpainted pine shelves, put up for convenience, while the owner should remain at Washington. He brought his books, because he wanted them for constant use—but, though accustomed to the utmost luxuriousness of appointment at home, he did not dream of bringing furniture across the Atlantic, or of apologizing for the absence of more than was demanded by necessity in his temporary residence.
I remember, too, to have heard it said that one of the recent governors of the Empire State had not a single article of mahogany furniture in his house at Albany; and yet, nobody complained of any want of hospitality or courtesy on his part, while making this discovery. The simple fact was, that, being without private fortune, and the salary of his office insufficient for such expenditures, he could not afford it—and no man, I believe, is bound to run in debt, to gratify either the expectations or the vanity of his political constituents.
As a contrast to these anecdotes, how does the following incident impress you?
Walking down Broadway, in New York, one bright morning with a distinguished American statesman, he suddenly came to a full halt before a show-window in which glittered, among minor matters, a superb candelabra, in all the glory of gilding and pendants.
"That's a very handsome affair, Lunettes," said my companion; "let us step in here a moment."
We entered accordingly. A salesman came forward.