222                            PARIS  IN AMERICA.
" You are mistaken, brother," answered I, laughing ;
" I belong to the trade."
" How is this ?" said Humbug.
" I wrote a paper on legal jurisprudence, a few years
since, with respect to women who soften the disposition
of their husbands indefinitely, by means of laudanum,
discreetly administered. This procured me a diploma •
from the University of Kharkoff; I am barrister and doc-
tor of laws among the Cossacks."
" Brother," said Humbug, in a solemn tone, " do me
the honor to take a seat beside me. And you, Messrs.
Phonographers, do not forget this wonderful fact. A
physician, doctor of laws of the University of Kharkoff,
is seen only in America ; I am sure that throughout old
Europe would not be found the parallel of this phoenix
which we possess at Paris—in Massachusetts. Kharkoff,
gentlemen, do not forget it; Kharkoff!"