ing till night, these three
weeks; and I say that a man that can find money to drink, can find
money to eat. To get drunk," he said, turning to the company, "the
matter of twice or thrice a week, is a thing that ony man is liable
to, and I say that such a man is welcome to a cup of tea, and maybe
_summat_ to eat; but to be always drink, drinking, I say again, that a
man who can find money to drink, can find money to eat, and so he
shall not have a drop!"

During the latter part of this speech, the speaker's looks were
directed towards the company, to see if it met with their approbation.
Some two or three there were who drawled out that "it was right;" but
their assent seemed to be drawn from them, more in expectation of the
good things that York was about to give away, than from any real
coincidence with his opinion--even such cadging house morality as
this, appeared to be too rigid for their notions of right and wrong.
As for the man himself, whose drowsy and dissipated looks certainly
presented the very picture of a sot, quietly swallowed the affront,
and laid himself down again to sleep.

The Yorkshireman, however, had apparently set his own conscience to
rest, and seemed to care very little about the tranquillity of the
other. He handed a piece of bacon to one, and a cup of tea to another;
then thrusting a rasher into his own mouth, much in the style of a
terrier griping a rat, chewed, bolted, swallowed, and gorged, until he
had completely stuffed the inward man.

There was a fine contrast of national character between the
Yorkshireman and his mate. The Irishman was all puff, blarney, and
brag, and all the time had been in a humour either to fight or to
shake hands. Nothing would serve him but to play at cards with every
one of the company, offering the most tremendous odds; but,
fortunately for him, there was not another purse-proud man in the room
but himself. One poor fellow in particular, on whom he fastened, and
who distinctly stated that he had no money, or else he would hazard a
game. But this only served to set the Hibernian's froth in motion. He
stormed, roused himself upon his legs, towered, and gave vent to a
burst of blarney.

"Now, d---- it," says York, "I dinna like that--I dinna like it at
all; attack a man that has _summat_, I say, and not one that has
nought, and then that will luck _mair_ like a man!" And with such
hearty John Bull notions as these did _canny_ Yorkshire browbeat his
crony of