cate mess of this kind of wit served up in the
front of the evening, for the entertainment and example of the junior
members, who never failed to divide upon this occasion, declaring
themselves for one or other of the combatants, whom they encouraged by
their looks, gestures, and applause, according to the circumstances of
the dispute.

This honourable consistory was held in the best room of an ale-house,
which afforded wine, punch, or beer, suitable to the purse or
inclination of every individual, who separately paid for his own choice;
and here was our hero introduced in the midst of twenty strangers, who,
by their looks and equipage, formed a very picturesque variety. He was
received with a most gracious solemnity, and placed upon the right
hand of the president, who, having commanded silence, recited aloud
his introductory ode, which met with universal approbation. Then was
tendered to him the customary oath, obliging him to consult the honour
and advantage of the society as far as it should he in his power, in
every station of life; and this being taken, his temples were bound with
a wreath of laurel, which was kept sacred for such inauguration.

When these rites were performed with all due ceremony, the new member
cast his eyes around the place, and took a more accurate survey of his
brethren; among whom he observed a strange collection of periwigs, with
regard to the colour, fashions, and dimensions, which were such as
he had never seen before. Those who sat on each side, nearest the
president, were generally distinguished by venerable ties, the foretops
of which exhibited a surprising diversity; some of them rose slanting
backwards, like the glacis of a fortification; some were elevated in
two distinct eminences, like the hills Helicon and Parnassus; and others
were curled and reflected, as the horns of Jupiter Ammon. Next to these,
the majors took place, many of which were mere succedanea, made by the
application of an occasional rose to the tail of a lank bob; and in the
lower form appeared masses of hair, which would admit of no description.

Their clothes were tolerably well suited to the furniture of their
heads, the apparel of the upper bench being decent and clean, while that
of the second class was threadbare and soiled; and at the lower end
of the room, he perceived divers efforts made to conceal their
rent breeches and dirty linen; nay, he could distinguish by their
countenances the different kinds o