220 REMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 



that rum improves the taste of the toddy — 

 round goes the rum-bottle. Mind, you don't 

 diminish the whisky, but you add a glass of 

 rum. This makes a decidedly strong caulker, 

 of which two are enough under ordinary circum- 

 stances. About seven or so, you go up-stairs 

 to tea, and rest on your oars a little till about 

 eight. Then one or two people drop in, and, 

 of course, one refreshment takes place, shortly 

 after which you sit down to long running whist, 

 and Lord ! how well these Stornowegians play ! 

 They never forget a card, or make a mistake ; 

 fortunately they play low, or you would be 

 ruined. Not that you might not play with 

 them in the dark for guinea points and a pony 

 on the rubber ; but they play so infinitely better 

 than ordinary mortals, after such a day's re- 

 freshment as I have been describing, can pos- 

 sibly do, that the side must lose where one of 

 the partners is a southerner, not accustomed to 

 it. During the rubber one or two, or more, 

 refreshments at least take place. About ten 

 comes in some sort of supper — I don't mean a 

 good devil or a broil, but a something to eat ; 

 and afterwards follows unlimited toddy till you 

 retire for the night, with such very confused 

 notions that unless you are a Stornowegian, or 

 well broken into the ways of the place, you 



