res the equilibrium, and I contrive to get
rid of them and my headache about one and the same time.

Talking about brandy--one morning at two o'clock, about the witching
time that ghosts do glide about in churchyards, as I was thinking
whether it would not be better to go to bed instead of writing nonsense,
in which opinion most of my readers may coincide with me, in stalked
three young men who were considerably the worse for potation. There is
a great deal of character in inebriety--at the same time that no
estimate of character can be made from its effects; for we often find
the most quiet men when sober to be the most choleric in their cups--but
still there is character, and much that is curious in witnessing its
variety of effects. Now these young men were each drunk in a very
different war--the first, in a way quite novel; for although he could
preserve his equilibrium, and stare immensely, he had lost the power of
speech; you saw his lips move, but no articulation or sound succeeded--
the second was laughing drunk; everything that was said, either by
himself or by any one else, was magnified into a pun or a _bon mot_--the
third, with whom I had no previous acquaintance, was _politely_ drunk.
I presume the idea of intruding himself upon a stranger, at such an
unseasonable hour, had produced that effect--but let me describe the
scene.

"Ha, ha, ha! we come to you--ha, ha! capital. We want some brandy and
water; and, ha, ha! we know you always keep a stock," said the second,
seating himself in an armchair.

The first also took a chair, moved his lips for a few seconds, and then
sat bolt upright, staring at the two candles; how many he counted I
cannot pretend to say.

"Really," said Number Three, "we are--I'm afraid--taking a great
liberty--a very great liberty; but--an apology is certainly due--if you
will allow me to offer an apology for my two friends--will you allow me
to introduce them?"

"Many thanks, but I have the pleasure of knowing _them_ already."

"I really beg your pardon--it was quite unintentional on my part. I
trust you are not offended? Will you allow me to introduce myself? I
am Captain C--, of the --. Will you permit me to present my card, and
to say how happy I shall be to make your acquaintance?" So saying, the
third gentleman presented me with his card, and returned the card-case
into his pocket.

"Capital!" cried Number Two. "Ha, ha, ha! what an excellent joke, ha,
ha, ha! No