We then draw forth, in the manner of a lottery, and the thing is settled for a twelvemonth." "I find this rotatory plan exceedingly simple--pray, sir, does it work as well as it promises ?" "To perfection .-- We grease the wheels, of course, periodically." "And are not frauds sometimes committed by those who are selected to draw the tickets ?" "Oh! they are chosen precisely in the same way." "But those who draw THEIR tickets ?" "All rotatory--they are drawn exactly on the same principle." "But there must be a beginning.

Those, again, who draw THEIR tickets--they may betray their trusts ?" "Impossible--THEY are always the most patriotic patriots of the land! No, no, sir--we are not such dunces as to leave anything to corruption.
Chance does it all.

Chance makes me a commodore to-day--a judge to-morrow.

Chance makes the lottery boys, and chance makes the patriots.
It is necessary to see in order to understand how much purer and useful is your chance patriot, for instance, than one that is bred to the calling." "Why, this savors, after all, of the doctrine of descents, which is little more than matter of chance." "It would be so, sir, I confess, were it not that our chances centre in a system of patriots.

Our approved patriots are our guarantees against abuses--" "Hem!"-- interrupted the companion of Commodore People's Friend, with an awkward distinctness, as if to recall himself to our recollection.
"Sir John, I crave pardon for great remissness--allow me to present my fellow-citizen, Brigadier Downright, a gentleman who is on his travels, like yourself; and as excellent a fellow as is to be found in the whole monikin region." "Brigadier Downright, I crave the honor of your acquaintance .-- But, gentlemen, I too have been sadly negligent of politeness.