The Admiral

           SpilledmilkdrawsfewtearsfromanAnchurianadministration.Manyareitslactealsources;andtheclocks’handspointforevertomilkingtime.EventherichcreamskimmedfromthetreasurybythebewitchedMirafloresdidnotcausethenewly-installedpatriotstowastetimeinunprofitableregrets.Thegovernmentphilosophicallysetaboutsupplyingthedeficiencybyincreasingtheimportdutiesandby"suggesting"towealthyprivatecitizensthatcontributionsaccordingtotheirmeanswouldbeconsideredpatrioticandinorder.ProsperitywasexpectedtoattendthereignofLosada,thenewpresident.Theoustedoffice-holdersandmilitaryfavouritesorganizedanew"Liberal"party,andbegantolaytheirplansforaresuccession.ThusthegameofAnchurianpoliticsbegan,likeaChinesecomedy,tounwindslowlyitsseriallength.HereandthereMirthpeepsforaninstantfromthewingsandilluminesthefloridlines.

           AdozenquartsofchampagneinconjunctionwithaninformalsittingofthepresidentandhiscabinetledtotheestablishmentofthenavyandtheappointmentofFelipeCarreraasitsadmiral.

           NexttothechampagnethecreditoftheappointmentbelongstoDonSabasPlacido,thenewlyconfirmedMinisterofWar.

           Thepresidenthadrequestedaconventionofhiscabinetforthediscussionofquestionspoliticandforthetransactionofcertainroutinemattersofstate.Thesessionhadbeensignallytedious;thebusinessandthewineprodigiouslydry.