e founder, crowned her goblet, {and by her
example the rest of the company} with garlands. This being done, the
lordly New Year from the upper end of the table, in a cordial but
somewhat lofty tone, returned thanks. He felt proud on an occasion of
meeting so many of his father's late tenants, promised to improve their
farms, & at the same time to abate {if anything was found unreasonable} in
their rents.

At the mention of this the Four Quarter Days involuntarily looked at
each other, & smiled; April Fool whistled to an old tune of "New Brooms" &
a surly old rebel at the further end of the table {who was discovered to
be no other than the Fifth-of-November} muttered out distinctly enough to
be heard by the whole company, words to this effect, that, "when the old
one is gone, he is a fool that looks for a better." Which rudeness of his,
the guests resenting, unanimously voted his expulsion; & the malcontent
was thrust out neck & heels into the cellar, as the properest place for
such a boutefeu & firebrand as he had shewn himself to be.

Order being restored--the young lord {who, to say truth, had been a
little ruffled & put beside his oratory} in as few, & yet as obliging
words as possible, assured them of entire welcome; &, with a graceful
turn, singling out poor Twenty-Ninth of February, that had sate all this
while mumchance at the side-board, begged to couple his health with that
of the good company before him--which he drank accordingly; observing,
that he had not seen his honest face any time these four years--with a
number of endearing expressions besides. At the same time, removing the
solitary Day from the forlorn seat which had been assigned to him, he
stationed him at his own board, somewhere between the Greek Calends and
Latter Lammas.

Ash Wednesday, being now called upon for a song, with his eyes fast stuck
in his head, & as well as the Canary he had swallowed would give him
leave, struck up a Carol, which Christmas Day had taught him for the
nonce; & was followed by the latter, who gave "Miserere" in fine style,
hitting off the mumping notes & lengthened drawl of Old Mortification with
infinite humour.

[April Fool swore they had exchanged conditions; but Good
Friday was observed to look extremely grave; & Sunday held her fan
before her face, that she might not be seen to smile.]

Shrove tide, Lord Mayor's Day, and April Fool, next joined in a glee--

Which is the properest day to dr