494 MEETING OF THE DELEGATES. 



behind, like a tail ; an old blacksmith, leather apron down to conceal 

 sundry rents in his corderoysj and myself after each filling our 

 short pipes and emptying our pints went staggering to open the 

 union. Every puff we took was followed by some wise remark on 

 the good that would ensue to unborn generations from our visit, and 

 every reel we made across the wide highway made us conscious that 

 we were patriots. 



" I say, Ned," said the player, addressing the old shoemaker, who 

 could scarcely walk, " if I propose a vote of thanks to you, after 

 you've made your speech to-night, will you do the same for me when 

 I've made mine ?" 



" I will my lad, Dick/' said he, " give us your hand, you know 

 I'm allos ready for ought as el mak things comfortable ; and I'll do 

 it as it ought to be done, my lad, for you know old Ned can." 



" Do you mean, Dick, finishing your speech to-night with that bit 

 about the banner, as you picked up frae th' papers ?" said the oldest 

 stockinger. 



" To be sure I do," answered the player " why ?" 



" Nought particular/' said the stockinger, " only I was thinking 

 o' heving it mysen, just to meek a finish wi, if you didn't, that's all." 



" Stuff!" said Dick_, " you can't do better than pitch the corn 

 laws." 



" I think I shall give 'em my old yarn," said the blacksmith ; " it 

 'ill be new to them/' 



tf It will so," said another ; " but don't get too much drink before 

 you begin, and forget half of it." 



" Whose agoing to open the meeting?" said the younger stock- 

 inger. 



tf I am," answered the old shoemaker ; " and Dick's to finish, he 

 makes a pretty finish ; he's got sich sublime idees." 



" Do you think I have ?" said Dick ; " I've often been told that my 

 mind's magnitudinal." 



" I like that bit about th' thunder an' lightning," said the old 

 blacksmith, " its devlish fine. How do you like my bit about Christ's 

 Apostles?" 



" It comes in very applicable/' answered Dick ; " where did you 

 pick it up ?" 



" I took the idee," said he, <( from an old speech of Chatham's, as 

 came to me wrapt round a nounce of backer ; so, you know, I thought 

 it would do. If I should happen to forget it, just whisper apostles 

 before I've done, will you ? I'll do the same by you if you should 

 forget thunder and lightning." 



Dick promised. 



We had by this time entered the Sheep's Head inn, where about 

 fifty smock-frocked rustics were seated, on rude benches, smoking and 

 drinking; they all arose as we entered, baring their heads, and 

 staring, like stuck rats, at sight of us gentlemen delegates. The 

 old shoemaker had contrived to cram his brinkless hat under his arm, 

 and, as the room was but badly lighted, all passed off well. 



The room we entered was long and low, badly lighted, and worse 

 furnished; the wall was hung with printed confessions, and songs 



