--a turnpike gate, in fact. I think you take back
hands--gentlemen, are you all charged?--then I'll give you THE NOBLE
SPORT OF FOX-'UNTING! gentlemen, with three times three, and Crane will
give the 'ips--all ready--now, ip, 'ip, 'ip, 'uzza, 'uzza, 'uzza--'ip,
'ip, 'ip, 'uzza, 'uzza, 'uzza--'ip, 'ip, 'ip, 'uzza, 'uzza, 'uzza.--one
cheer more, 'UZZA!" After this followed "The Merry Harriers," then came
"The Staggers," after that "The Trigger, and bad luck to Cheatum,"
all bumpers; when Jorrocks, having screwed his courage up to the
sticking-place, called for another, which being complied with, he rose
and delivered himself as follows:

"Gentlemen, in rising to propose the toast which I am now about to
propose--I feel--I feel--(Yorkshireman--'very queer?') J---- No,
not verry queer, and I'll trouble you to hold your jaw (laughter).
Gentlemen, I say, in rising to propose the toast which I am about to
give, I feel--I feel--(Crane--'werry nervous?') J---- No, not werry
nervous, so none of your nonsense; let me alone, I say. I say, in
rising to propose the toast which I am about to give, I feel--(Mr.
Spiers--'very foolish?' Nimrod--'very funny?' Crane--'werry rum?') J----
No, werry proud of the distinguished honour that has been conferred upon
me--conferred upon me--conferred upon me--distinguished honour that has
been conferred upon me by the presence, this day, of one of the most
distinguished men--distinguished men--by the presence, this day, of one
of the most distinguished men and sportsmen--of modern times (cheers.)
Gentlemen--this is the proudest moment of my life! the eyes of England
are upon us! I give you the health of Mr. Happerley Nimrod." (Drunk with
three times three.)

When the cheering, and dancing of the glasses had somewhat subsided,
Nimrod rose and spoke as follows:

"Mr. Jorrocks, and gentlemen",

"The handsome manner in which my health has been proposed by our worthy
and estimable host, and the flattering reception it has met with from
you, merit my warmest acknowledgments. I should, indeed, be unworthy of
the land which gave me birth, were I insensible of the honour which has
just been done me by so enlightened and distinguished an assembly as the
present. My friend, Mr. Jorrocks, has been pleased to designate me as
one of the most distinguished sportsmen of the day, a title, however,
to which I feel I have little claim: but this I may say, that I have
portrayed our great national sports in their br