struck a bargain for the hall, at once--a bargain by which I was to have
it for two dollars if I didn't do very well, or five dollars if I had a
regular big crowd; bill-stickers and doorkeeper included, free.

In the evening, I went to the village post-office, which was merely a
corner of the village store, and inquired if there was a letter there
for Professor Green D. Brown. I knew very well there was not, of course,
but I had the not unexpected pleasure of seeing the postmaster's eyes
dilate inquiringly, so that I felt called upon to say:--

'I am a stranger, sir, in Sidon, at present, but I hope to enjoy the
honor of making the acquaintance of a large number of your intelligent
citizens during my brief stay with you. I propose lecturing in this
village to-morrow evening, on a historical, or perhaps I should say
biographical, subject.'

The postmaster, who appeared like an intelligent gentleman, said he was
glad to see me, and glad to hear I was going to lecture; and he shook
hands with me cordially. The store contained about half the adult
population of the village, lounging about the warm stove, talking and
dozing; and the postmaster introduced me to Squire Johnson, and Dr.
Tomson, and Mr. Dickson, and Mr. Dobson and Mr. Potkins, who, five,
constituted the upper ten of Sidon. With these gentlemen I held a very
entertaining conversation, during which I remember I was struck with the
extreme deference paid to my opinion, and the extreme contempt
manifested for the opinions of each other. They all agreed, however,
that my visit would be likely to prove of the greatest importance to
Sidon in a literary and educational point of view.

I returned to the hotel, and retired with heart elate.