Attempt > Volume 3

80 THE ATTEMPT.
sent. However, we parted without having the affair settled. Sometime afterwards,
the Bull-dog again spoke to me on the subject, and asked me to go with him to see
the animals meet, and discuss affairs concerning the Palace. I consented; and we
went. When we came to the appointed place of meeting, I hid myself behind the
long grass, where I could notice unobserved all that took place. Soon the animals
assembled, and formed a circle, which the Bull-dog joined. You would have been
amused by the variety of animals thus brought together ; one in particular attracted
my attention."
" "Which was that 1" I asked,
" Pardon me," replied the Frog, " I may not tell you. Don't you hear the bii-ds
twittering in the trees above us ? and don't you know what they are said to do 1 If
you do not believe it, I do."
" But, at least, you will favour me with a general description of them," I said,
laughing.
" Certainly," said the Frog, " I will mention all those I can remember. The
principal ones, of course, were the stag and the horse. Close by the stag, I saw a
hare. It spoke in very soft, low tones. On the stag's other side, there sat a very
intelligent and interesting looking spaniel. There was a fox, which never spoke, and
did not seem to take a particular interest in what was going on. But it was not the
only one that kept silence. I was surprised to see that several of them never made
their voices heard. Amongst these was my own friend, and also the Peacock."
" Probably it was thinking most of its fine plumage," said I.
" Nay, it is uncharitable to suppose so," returned the Frog. " Now let me re¬
member who else was there. Oh, yes ! There was a merry little squirrel, one or two
comfortable looking cats, a bat, and a fine Newfoundland dog. I can't recollect the
rest. During part of the time they discussed the affaii"s of the Palace, and then
they began to play at a game—in which, I have heard, the Lords of Creation often
indulge."
" What is the name of it ? " I asked.
" I think they called it debating ; have you ever heard of it before ? "
" I think I have ; but I don't know much about it."
" Then I shall describe it to you as well as I can. The animals had a large ball,
which they called their subject. They tossed it about to each other, and any one
who liked could take it up and draw a circle round it either black or white, as he
thought proper ; some made their circles very decidedly—that is to say, all of one
colour;—others again, marked them half black and half white.