An Allegory.

a person , and although there was nothing about him to excite my sympathy or admiration , there was a look of substance about him that inspired my respect . ' I couldn't have imagined him ever being in any hair-breadth escapade or danger , and he gave me the impression that if there was a five-barred gate to be jumped over he would have gone round the corner , or else have waited until it was opened for him . He had the quiet settled look that perfect safety gives ; but it was more the safety arising from

caution and precaution than from the fearlessness of fear . He was engaged when I entered the room in the examination of large ponderous account books . In various pigeonholes were deeds on parchment ancl deeds on paper , bearing conspicuously the stamp of the country ' s revenue ; innumerable receipts , agreements , settlements , letters minutely folded up , labelled , ticketed , and dated ; various books of reference , telegrams from all parts of the Universe , almanacks , guides , Bradshaws and directories , large copying letter

presses , and bundles of red tape . "Be good enough , " said he "to sign your name in that book ; the time you came in and the time you go out . I can only give you a quarter of an hour : every minute I sit here is money to me . " "I shall remember the time , " said I , " without signing the book ; it is just one o ' clock , " I added , consulting my watch , lie at all events , I thought , would remembei number one .

"I transact business with no one , " replied he sharply , " of which 1 have not the record clown in black and white . " '' I felt somewhat annoyed , I must confess , at this punctiliousness , though as I reflected I came there with the view of learning- business , I accordingly with a good grace signed the book . " Punctuality , accuracy ,. and precision , " continued he , " are the essence of business .

I make no allowances ; I tolerate no excuses ; I believe in no promises ; I admit of no impulses ; I exonerate no recklessness ; I sanction no negligence ; I calculate assiduously ; I estimate statistically ; I systemize on principle , in hospitalities and charities ; I pay fairly ancl 1 exact fairly ; I borrow nothing ancl I lend nothing , except on business principle , securities and interest ; I wager nothing ancl I bet nothing ; I take all the advantages I can and I reap all I can get ; I control my likes and dislikes according to circumstances ,

possible rewards ancl payments ; I have no feelings , prejudices , or antipathies in matters that are business to me ; and I am respected as a sensible , wealthy business man by Aldermen , Borough Members , Common Councilmen , ancl Lord Mayors . Tour quarter of an hour is up , ancl I must wish you good morning . " I made no comment to the Right Hon . Pruclentus , except that I thought it must be pleasanter to reap the benefits of prudence than to be so constrainedly prudent oneself .

. I was then shown into the room of the Right Hon . Defend us , and found there many evidences that defence ancl not defiance was a law of nature . There were various papers relating to administration and organisation , regarding naval ancl military matters , various books on education , rules for the punishment ancl discipline of outrageous brutality , and various appliances for selE-cMence . The Right Hon . DeEendus received me with the grave politeness of a polished veteran . " The army , " said I , entering into the subject tit once , " is one of your principal means of defence . "

" It is the highest , " replied he . " Our army is our reserve which we keep iti reserve , ancl go on reserving , consequently we can never be said to be beaten . " I thought that was wise certainly . "We are perfectly capable of fighting , " said the Right Hon . Defendus , calmly ; " but in Utopia we have long ago discontinued the atrocious practice of butchering people , regarding that as one of the customs of the dark Our officers by their

savage ages . general bearing , cultivation , and intelligence , do more to civilize ancl save us from the encroachments of ill-conditioned , uncivilized , quarrelsome people than any amount of gunpowder and shot could do . " ¦ " The . navy ? " L hazarded . "Is the principal means of our communicating with all parts of the Universe