ted sundry witty sayings of the advocates in the
Parliament House, who seem to be gentlemen of great facetiousness. As
for me, I emptied out all Joe Miller on the company; and if old Joe
could have burst his cerements in the neighbouring churchyard of St
Clement Danes, he would have been infinitely delighted with the
reception which the contents of his agreeable miscellany met with. To
tell the truth, my jokes were not more known to my companions than their
stories were to me. Harrison's campaigns, Ginger's cruises, Burke's
duel, Macgillicuddy's steeple-chases, and Tom Meggot's rows in the High
Street, had been told over and over--so often indeed, that the several
relaters begin to believe that there is some foundation in fact for the
wonders which they are continually repeating.

"I perceive this is the last bottle of port," said Jack Ginger; "so I
suppose that there cannot be any harm in drinking bad luck to Antony
Harrison's wine-merchant, who did not make it the dozen."

"Yes," said Harrison, "the skinflint thief would not stand more than the
half, for which he merits the most infinite certainty of non-payment."

(You may depend upon it that Harrison was as good as his word, and
treated the man of bottles according to his deserts.)

The port was gathered to its fathers, and potteen reigned in its stead.
A most interesting discussion took place as to what was to be done with
it. No doubt, indeed, existed as to its final destination; but various
opinions were broached as to the manner in which it was to make its way
to its appointed end. Some wished that every man should make for
himself; but that Jack Ginger strenuously opposed, because he said it
would render the drinking unsteady. The company divided into two parties
on the great questions of bowl or jug. The Irishmen maintained the cause
of the latter. Tom Meggot, who had been reared in Glasgow, and Jack
Ginger, who did not forget his sailor propensities, were in favour of
the former. Much erudition was displayed on both sides, and I believe I
may safely say, that every topic that either learning or experience
could suggest, was exhausted. At length we called for a division, when
there appeared--

FOR THE JUG. FOR THE BOWL.

Bob Burke, Jack Ginger,
Joe Macgillicuddy, Humpy Harlow,
Antony Harrison, Tom Meggot,
Myself.

Majority 1, in favour of the jug.

I was principally moved t