's no mischief done, so pour out
the wine.--Your good health, old boy, may you live for a thousand years,
and I be there to count them! --Now, that's what I call good," observed
the Yorkshireman, holding up his glass, "see how it dulls the glass,
even to the rim--champagne isn't worth a copper unless it's iced--is
it, Colonel?" "Vy, I don't know--carn't say I like it so werry cold; it
makes my teeth chatter, and cools my courage as it gets below--champagne
certainly gives one werry gentlemanly ideas, but for a continuance, I
don't know but I should prefer mild hale." "You're right, old boy, it
does give one very gentlemanly ideas, so take another glass, and you'll
fancy yourself an emperor.--Your good health again." "The same to you,
sir. And now wot do you call this chap?" "That is a quail, the other a
snipe--which will you take?" "Vy, a bit of both, I think; and do you
eat these chaps with them?" "Yes, nothing nicer--artichokes a la sauce
blanche; you get the real eating part, you see, by having them sent up
this way, instead of like haystacks, as they come in England, diving and
burning your fingers amid an infinity of leaves." "They are werry pretty
eating, I must confess; and this upper Binjamin of ham the birds are
cooked in is delicious. I'll trouble you for another plateful." "That's
right, Colonel, you are yourself again. I always thought you would come
back into the right course; and now you are good for a glass of claret
of light Hermitage. Come, buck up, and give a loose to pleasure for
once." "For once, ay, that's what you always say; but your once comes so
werry often." "Say no more.--Garcon! un demi-bouteille de St. Julien;
and here, J----, is a dish upon which I will stake my credit as an
experienced caterer--a Charlotte de pommes--upon my reputation it is
a fine one, the crust is browned to a turn, and the rich apricot
sweet-meat lies ensconced in the middle, like a sleeping babe in its
cradle. If ever man deserved a peerage and a pension it is this cook."
"It's werry delicious--order another." "Oh, your eyes are bigger than
your stomach, Mr. J----. According to all mathematical calculations,
this will more than suffice. Ay, I thought so--you are regularly at a
stand-still. Take a glass of whatever you like. Good--I'll drink Chablis
to your champagne. And now, that there may be no mistake as to our
country, we will have some cheese--fromage de Roquefort, Gruyere,
Neufchatel, or whatever you like--and a be