86 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



acquiesce in the arrangements we propose making. 

 But clear the table, Meg, and bring glasses ; we can do 

 nothing without the jug social ; our wits won't work 

 without it. 



[During the dictation of these by the worthy Doctor, 

 assisted by Jack Leister and Tom Otter, Gaff slyly 

 slunk away to bed, and Bill May-fly stood at the 

 shutters, amusing himself with an apostrophe to the 

 moon, part of which is preserved in the MS. scroll of 

 regulations drawn out in the neat and diminutive hand 

 of Harry Hackle, Esq., who obviously took advantage 

 of certain pauses in the Doctor's composition to pre- 

 serve this singular record.] 



.May. Ha ! my maiden moon, astart to-night ! 

 Have the sun- vampires stolen the blood from thee ? 

 Thou art ever blenched in the forehead, and solemn of 

 countenance. Hast no saffron to heighten thy com- 

 plexion ? Lack-a-day ! why dost thou rob me of my 

 laughs and frolics ? Thy melancholy is catching. Ah ! 

 my fair mistress thou hast none of the merry twink- 

 ling these stars have nothing humorous about thee. 

 Why come hither ? Art thou on an embassage to 

 tearful lovers ? Oh ! thou'rt a false witch, and pryest 

 into our crimes and calamities. Aback ! aback ! there 

 is nothing for thy search beyond these shutters no 

 sorrows here madam ; and yet, not good-night 'twould 

 be an early parting to bid good-night so soon, and to 

 one so lovely. Was't thus in the beginning and did 



