SPEECHES. 347 



know what I feel on this occasion, which shall ever be remembered as one of the bright- 

 est resting-places in my journey through life. 



A Bachelor. 

 LA i' IKS ANI> GENTLEMCX: 



It seems rather hard that I, an unfortunate bachelor, should be singled out to reply 

 to this toast. Surely the misfortune of being unable to meet a fair one to share my lot 

 ought to have won your sympathy, ana to have left me unnoticed, save by what the 

 poets are pleased to term the " passing tribute of a sigh." 



Ladies, it is no fault of mine that I am unmated. I detest, abhor, loathe bachelor- 

 hood would that I could find stronger terms of detestation and if Fate, Kismet ,. 

 Destiny, call it what you will, were to place some charming blushing maiden, such as I 

 see around this board to-night, in my path, 1 would consider myself the most blessed of 

 human mortals. What more contemptible being than the old bachelor ! who so lonely, 

 who so uncared for, who so infamously selfish ! Of course, ladies, I allude to those 

 cravens who have feared to risk their fate on that sweet small word, " Yes." I must 

 myself confess to a certain cowardice, and, with Sir Walter Raleigh, exclaim, " Fain 

 would I climb but that I fear to fall." Oh, if some fair lady would but say, " If thy 

 heart fail thee do not climb at all ! " That I live in hope, white blossomed Hope, I do- 

 not deny, and whatever be my fate now, in the presence of such charming and beauti- 

 ful witnesses, I denounce bachelorhood and despise the bachelor. 



The Host, 



' I.KMF.N : 



Fill your glasses till the beaded bubbles at the brim topple over. This is a toast that 

 to honour is a sacred duty. I give you the health of our host God bless him! 



Reply. 



I thank you most heartily for the manner in which you have drank the toast of my 

 health. I assure you from my heart that I never feel so happy as when 1 see myself 

 surrounded by my friends, and to behold one's friends enjoying themselves is a sight 

 tit for the gods. 



In the battle of life, which we are all compelled to fight, it becomes necessary to h-ilt 

 occasionally, stop by the wayside, and refresh. This brief snatching of pleasure at its 

 best, makes us all feel that there is something worth living for, and that life without 

 Is would indeed be but a dismal blank. I again thank you for your gracious good 

 fellowship, and promise you that no effort shall be wanting on my part to enable you to 

 propose the same toast, under the same circumstances, again, again, and yet a^ain. 



A Distinguished Guest. 



ahtl a most pleasant one, devolves upon me of proposing the health of a I 



hed gentleman, wh > has honoured us with his pivsenee this evening. Mr. 



is the very great favour of joining our eircle, an 1 we feel the most int. 

 :ir_' honour t ;ieiti/eii wh has KO justly elevated himself in the opin 



ies of his fellow-countrymen. Were Mr. absent I i-..iiM talk a 



ir l.y Shrewsbury dock," l>ut as he is present 1 will endeavour to 

 his blushes, and come at once to the drinking of his health in a bumper, l.'entle- 

 . prosperity and happiness to our distinguished - 1 



B time from me '. Hip, 



