MAJOR GASDEN's STORY. 279 



the diiiiMT that had given mc .'^o much satisfaction was 

 a " game dinner," got up at great expense, and under 

 the immediate superintendence of celebrated bo7i 

 vivaiUs. 



" The conceit of my ability to amuse a party of 

 strangers at the social board, vanished into thin air; the 

 cause of the wit of my jokes was revealed, — fortunate, 

 indeed, as I was, in eating a good dinner, I was still 

 more fortunate in meeting with a party of gentlemen, 

 who were too delicate- to hint at any explanations that 

 would, in their presence, inform me of my amusing mis 

 take. 



