Ah!--if those who consider a Prime Minister great and exalted,
could only see him as he pulls on his trousers, and fastens his shirt
collar, what a disillusion would be promptly effected! Especially if,
like the Marquis de Lutera, he happened to be over-stout, and difficult
to clothe! This particular example of Premiership was an ungainly man;
his proud position could not make him handsome, nor lend true dignity
to his deportment. Old Mother Nature has a way of marking her
specimens, if we will learn to recognize the signs she sets on certain
particular 'makes' of man. The Marquis de Lutera was 'made' to be a
stock-jobber, not a statesman. His bent was towards the material gain
and good of himself, more than the advantage of his country. His
reasoning was a slight variation of Falstaff's logical misprisal of
honour. He argued; "If I am poor, then what is it to me that others are
rich? If I am neglected, what do I care that the people are prosperous?
Let me but secure and keep those certain millions of money which shall
ensure to me and my heritage a handsome endowment, not only for my
life, but for all lives connected with mine which come after me,--and
my 'patriotism' is satisfied!"
He had just finished insinuating himself by degrees into his morning
coat, when his servant entered.
"Well!" he asked impatiently.
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