On referring to the clocks, it was found that, in truth, the eclipse had commenced some time before, and that we were on the verge of an absolute occultation of Principle, by the basest and most sordid of all motives, pecuniary Interest.
The first proof that was given of the true state of things, was in the language of the people.

The word Interest was in every monikin's mouth, while the word Principle, as indeed was no more than suitable, seemed to be quite blotted out of the Leaplow vocabulary.

To render a local term into English, half of the vernacular of the country appeared to be compressed into the single word "dollar." "Dollar--dollar--dollar"-- nothing but "dollar! Fifty thousand dollars--twenty thousand dollars--a hundred thousand dollars"-- met one at every turn.

The words rang at the corners--in the public ways--at the exchange--in the drawing-rooms--ay, even in the churches.

If a temple had been reared for the worship of the Creator, the first question was, how much did it cost?
If an artist submitted the fruits of his labors to the taste of his fellow-citizens, conjectures were whispered among the spectators, touching its value in the current coin of the republic.