118 FEEDING TIME. 



be subdued, but some of the truth at least will get out, which is 

 a highly important matter. It is rather surprisins: that pliilo- 

 sophical societies, whose professed object is tlie attainment or 

 investigation of truth, have never thought of making the disputants 

 drunk before they commenced the discussion of any important 

 point; and forbidding the use of all manner of tea, from Bohea 

 to Gunpowder, inclusive, as that pernicious gift which the Hong 

 merchants have sent us from the Celestial empire, has been 

 considered, time out of mind, a great provocative of scandal, 

 which is generally but another name for untruth. 



Thehumourcommences long before dinner, and, if the company 

 be expected to muster strong, it will not be amiss to take a post 

 near the inn door, about an hour before the time for opening it. 

 Some ingenuous observations may be made, by the himgry group, 

 worth hearing. 



" I say. Smith, what time is the dinner ready ? " 



"Not till six o' clock ; and I 'm blessed if I have n't been 

 waiting here ever since two, to get a good place." 



** Well that 's coming the Quality hours, is n't it ? and, after 

 waiting such a time, see if I can't do a decent tuck-out : if I do 

 n't get a skinful, it 's my own fault, and my name *s not Jim.** 



" 1 guess I feel rather queerish in the inside ; I have n't made 

 use of any thing since yesterday." 



" 'Pon me conscience, Misther Casey, i 've just got an appe- 

 tite that 'd ate the head of a horse, every taste of id ; to be sure 

 I 'd prefer it byled a thrifle, or stewed with some kidney purtay- 

 ties, an' a dhrop o' whiskey to keep it from risin' in me stumuch.'* 



**Thrue for you, Doolan, me honey, and it 's myself that 

 would be mighty glad to lend you a hand in atin' some of that 

 same, for sorro' the bit of any thing has crossed me lips this 

 blessed day, barrin' a sup o' rum that Misses Phillips gave me 

 when I brought her tlie bag o' coals." 



" Now, Jack, mind what I tell 'e; stand by me and I '11 stand 

 by you, d' ye see, we '11 get opposite the biggest piece of roast 

 beef in the room, and divvle a soul shall have any of it but our 

 own two selfs." 



"That's all very well to talk, Ned, but I do n't see why we 

 should n't get some'at better nor that ere ; let 's look out for a 

 turkey or a whacking fine goose, about ten pound weight, I '11 

 contrive somehow to cut it in two, and to put one half on my 

 plate and the other on yours, no body can be so uncivil as to ask 

 for any of it then, I know." 



