"You must lose Canada," said he to me one day, abruptly, "ay, and
Bermuda into the bargain."
"I think you had better round off your acquisitions with a few odd
West India Islands."
"We have stomach enough for that too."
"I hear you have been to Jerusalem."
"Yes; I went to recover my voice, which I lost; for I have one of the
largest congregations in Boston."
"But, my good friend, you breathe nothing but war and conquest."
"The fact is, war is as unavoidable as thunder and lightning; the
atmosphere must be cleared from time to time."
"Were you ever a soldier?"
"No; I was in the American navy. Many a day I was after John Bull on
the shores of Newfoundland."
"After John Bull?"
"Yes, Sir, _sweating_ after him: I delight in energy; give me the man
who will shoulder a millstone, if need be."
"The capture of Canada, Bermuda, and a few odd West India Islands,
would certainly give scope for your energy. This would be taking the
bull by the horns."
"Swinging him by the tail, say I."
The burlesque vigour of his illustrations sometimes ran to
anti-climax.
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