his capacity, returned the salute, by observing, that
there was no occasion for a horn-work, when the covered way was not
worth defending.

Such a reprisal upon Mr. Metaphor's yoke-fellow, who was by no means
remarkable for her beauty, could not fail to operate upon the hearers;
and as for the bard himself, he was evidently ruffled by the reflection;
to which, however, he, without hesitation, replied, "Egad! 'tis my
opinion, that, if your covered way was laid open, few people would
venture to give the assault."--"Not unless their batteries were more
effectual than the fire of your wit," said the president. "As for
that matter," cried the other with precipitation, "they would have
no occasion to batter in breach; they would find the angle of the la
pucelle bastion demolished to their hands--he, he!"--"But I believe it
would surpass your understanding," resumed the chairman, "to fill up
the fosse."--"That, I own, is impracticable," replied the bard, "there I
should meet with a hiatus maxime deflendus!"

The president, exasperated at this insinuation, in presence of the new
member, exclaimed, with indignation in his looks, "And yet, if a body
of pioneers were set at work upon your skull, they would find rubbish
enough to choke up all the common sewers in town." Here a groan was
uttered by the admirers of the epic poet, who, taking a pinch of snuff
with great composure, "When a man grows scurrilous," said he, "I take it
for an undoubted proof of his overthrow."--"If that be the case," cried
the other, "you yourself must be the vanquished party, for you were
the first that was driven to personal abuse."--"I appeal," answered the
bard, "to those who can distinguish. Gentlemen, your judgment."

This reference produced a universal clamour, and the whole college was
involved in confusion. Every man entered into dispute with his neighbour
on the merits of this cause. The chairman interposed his authority in
vain; the noise grew louder and louder; the disputants waxed warm;
the epithets of blockhead, fool, and scoundrel, were bandied about.
Peregrine enjoyed the uproar, and, leaping upon the table, sounded
the charge to battle, which was immediately commenced in ten different
duels. The lights were extinguished; the combatants thrashed one another
without distinction; the mischievous Pickle distributed sundry random
blows in the dark, and the people below, being alarmed with the sound
of application, the overturning of chairs, a