was not social, but it showed that he was not a barroom electioneerer.

"In his shell-ha!" said Sterling.

"Yes, emphatically and figuratively," said Clodhead.

"He is spoken of for speaker: I suppose he thinks that the office ought neither to be sought nor declined."

Clodhead had discernment enough to see the broad sneer which this expression conveyed: and he had courage enough to resent it; but the stolid coldness of his nature gave the victory to prudence, and he said nothing.

They found Belvedere in his room, dressed in a long loose wrapper, sitting by his table, on which were lying books and papers. One of the books he laid down, the back upwards, as the two gentlemen entered. Sterling discovered that it was a volume of Cicero's Offices of the diamond latin edition. In a row on the table were arranged, amongst many others, odd volumes of Homer, Milton, Shakspeare, the life of the Earl of Chatham, and the memoirs of Charles James Fox. The British Spy occupied a place in the collection, and Faust and Wilhelm Meister lay one by the other, on the corner. The only piece of yellow covered literature to be seen, was a pamphlet entitled Anecdotes of Paginini, near which was a fiddle bow, and a case containing a violin.

"General Sterling expressed a desire to pay his

respects to you, Belvedere, and I am happy to present him," said Clodhead,

"I am proud to see the General. You are here for your first time, sir," said Belvedere to Sterling. "I hope you will find both pleasure and profit in Washington."

Pleasure, I expect, of course," replied Sterling. "The profit, you know, will depend upon circumstances."

"Not so much as you may suppose. Pleasure hunters are apt to find profit in experience." "Not every one. The wisest, sometimes, refuse. to be instructed."

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Hardly the wisest; the old and the head-strong may fail to be benefited by experience: but I believe there are very few who do not grow wiser from a Winter in Washington: whether their acquired wisdom avails them or not, is another question. Wisdom is nothing without the will to be governed by it."

'Rather a grave subject, gentlemen," said Clodhead. "I am one of those who believe in the wILL governing and controling destinies; and hence, as I am a candidate for speaker, I am decidedly of opinion that I could make more by leaving you to discourse metaphysics; while I go, and attend to the affairs of the nation." So, Mr. Clodhead, laughingly, bowed himself out of the room.

"A very practical fellow," said Belvedere to Sterling, as Clodhead left. 'No man has made more of his capital in Washington than Clodhead. Without

learning, by the dint of industry, and of devotion to party-which latter is considered the touch-stone of integrity by politicians,-he has acquired the reputation of a first rate business man: and he will make a good presiding officer. He has much to recommend him. With early cultivation, he would have made a first class man."

"You are aware," said Sterling, "I suppose, that you are much spoken of just now, for speaker."

"Yes-a few friends have flattered me. I am not so modest as to decline such an honor. But I see no reasonable probability of an election, and really, I have not troubled myself about it."

"I am not sure," said Sterling, "from what I have heard but that your chances are good, if the affair should be skillfully managed. If I knew perfectly your best and most reliable friends, I would like to join them in aiding to bring about a favorable result."

"Thank you, sir. As a general rule, in the practice of life, whatever is worth having is worth seeking. This property maxim is not to be despised in politics. But I can not consent to run about after an office of so much dignity. I will cheerfully, however, advise with you and our mutual friends, on the subject, and contribute. my part of the work towards the accomplishment of whatever seems best."

Sterling was immediately placed in possession of the names of Belvedere's confidential friends; and before night he had arranged a meeting of them to come off at his rooms at 8 o'clock.