A third demonstrated to the satisfaction of himself and his
immediate circle that it was all owing to the Statue having recently
been repaired with silver instead of iron. The public were unable to
decide between these conflicting opinions; but they were still more
desirous of finding out a remedy for the evil than the cause of it.
An eloquent and philosophical writer, who entertains consolatory
opinions of human nature, has recently told us that 'it is in the nature
of things that the intellectual wants of society should be supplied.
Whenever the man is required invariably the man will appear.' So it
happened in the present instance. A public instructor jumped up in the
person of Mr. Flummery Flam, the least insinuating and the least
plausible personage that ever performed the easy task of gulling a
nation. His manners were vulgar, his voice was sharp, and his language
almost unintelligible. Flummery Flam was a provisional optimist. He
maintained that everything would be for the best, if the nation would
only follow his advice.
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