and sole Manager of the Statue. Some grumbled at this autocratic
conduct 'upon principle,' but they were chiefly connections of the
expelled. The great majority, wearied with public squabbles occasioned
by private ends, rejoiced to see the public interest entrusted to an
individual who had a reputation to lose. Intelligence of the
appointment of the Centaur was speedily diffused throughout the island,
and produced great and general satisfaction. There were a few, indeed,
impartial personages, who had no great taste for Centaurs in civil
capacities, from an apprehension that, if he could not succeed in
persuading them by his eloquence, his Grace might chance to use his
heels.



CHAPTER 11


On the evening of his presentation day his Excellency the Fantaisian
Ambassador and suite honoured the national theatre with their presence.
Such a house was never known! The pit was miraculously over-flown
before the doors were opened, although the proprietor did not permit a
single private entrance. The enthusiasm was universal, and only twelve
persons were killed. The Private Secretary told Popanilla, with an air
of great complacency, that the Vraibleusian theatres were the largest in
the world. Popanilla had little doubt of the truth of this information,
as a long time elapsed before he could even discover the stage. He
observed that every person in the theatre carried a long black glass,
which he kept perpetually fixed to his eye. To sit in a huge room
hotter than a glass-house, in a posture emulating the most sanctified
Faquir, with a throbbing head-ache, a breaking back, and twisted legs,