, and convulsed his
audience).

'Order! order!' said little Kitterbell, endeavouring to suppress his
laughter.

'Order!' said the gentlemen.

'Danton, be quiet,' said a particular friend on the opposite side of the
table.

'Ladies and gentlemen,' resumed Dumps, somewhat recovered, and not much
disconcerted, for he was always a pretty good hand at a speech--'In
accordance with what is, I believe, the established usage on these
occasions, I, as one of the godfathers of Master Frederick Charles
William Kitterbell--(here the speaker's voice faltered, for he remembered
the mug)--venture to rise to propose a toast. I need hardly say that it
is the health and prosperity of that young gentleman, the particular
event of whose early life we are here met to celebrate--(applause).
Ladies and gentlemen, it is impossible to suppose that our friends here,
whose sincere well-wishers we all are, can pass through life without some
trials, considerable suffering, severe affliction, and heavy
losses!'--Here the arch-traitor paused, and slowly drew forth a long,
white pocket-handkerchief--his example was followed by several ladies.
'That these trials may be long spared them is my most earnest prayer, my
most fervent wish (a distinct sob from the grandmother). I hope and
trust, ladies and gentlemen, that the infant whose christening we have
this evening met to celebrate, may not be removed from the arms of his
parents by premature decay (several cambrics were in requisition): that
his young and now _apparently_ healthy form, may not be wasted by
lingering disease. (Here Dumps cast a sardonic glance around, for a
great sensation was manifest among the married ladies.) You, I am sure,
will concur with me in wishing that he may live to be a comfort and a
blessing to his parents. ("Hear, hear!" and an audible sob from Mr.
Kitterbell.) But should he not be what we could wish--should he forget
in after times the duty which he owes to them--should they unhappily
experience that distracting truth, "how sharper than a serpent's tooth it
is to have a thankless child"'--Here Mrs. Kitterbell, with her
handkerchief to her eyes, and accompanied by several ladies, rushed from
the room, and went into violent hysterics in the passage, leaving her
better half in almost as bad a condition, and a general impression in
Dumps's favour; for people like sentiment, after all.

It need hardly be added, that this occurrence quite put a stop to the
harmony