twenty persons. The party who gives the spread generally
invites all the under-graduates he is acquainted with; a
dessert is ordered either from Jubber's, or Sadler's, for
the number invited, for which he is charged at per head.

~221~~ reinforcement of _black men, or heavy artillery_ from the college
magazine, across the quadrangle, for the use of the dignitaries' table;
when I, a poor solitary _freshman_, advanced with sentimental awe
and fearful stride beneath the arched entrance of Brazen-nose. Where
Eglantine's rooms were situated I had no means of knowing, his card
supplying only the name of his college; to make some inquiry would be
necessary, but of whom, not a creature but what appeared much too busily
employed, as they ran to and fro laden with wine and viands, to answer
the interrogatories of a stranger. I was on the point of retreating to
obtain the requisite information from the waiter at the Mitre, when old
Mark Supple made his appearance, with "Your servant, sir: I have
been in search of you at your inn, by command of Mr. Eglantine, _take
notice_--who with a large party of friends are waiting your company to
a _spread_." "A large party, Mark?" said I, suspecting there was some
secret drama in rehearsal, in which I was to play a principal part.
"A very large party, sir, and a very extraordinary one too, _take
notice_--such a collection as I never saw before within the walls of a
college--living curiosities, _take notice_--all the _comicals_ of
Oxford brought together,{2} and this 2 This adventure, strange as it
may appear, actually occurred a short time since, when Mr. J*****n of
Brazen-nose invited the characters here named to an entertainment in the
College. Sir Richard Steele, when on a visit to Edinburgh, indulged in
a similar freak: he made a splendid feast, and whilst the servants were
wondering for what great personages it was intended, he sent them into
the streets, to collect all the eccentrics, beggars, and poor people,
that chance might throw in their way, and invite them to his house.
A pretty large party being mustered, they were well plied with
whiskey-punch and wine; when, forgetting their cares, and free from
all restraint, they gave loose to every peculiarity of their respective
characters. When the entertainment was over, Sir Richard declared, that
besides the pleasure of filling so many hungry bellies, and enjoying an
hour of rich amusement, he had gleaned from them humour