19O A VISIT 



Bursar, was placed on the table, and protected 

 from the heat of the fire by a little triangular 

 mahogany screen. It circulated, however, with 

 considerable rapidity, and was as rapidly renewed. 

 Indeed the attendant, who appeared to have exe- 

 cuted the duties of his office for a great many 

 years, and was a solemn and respectable-looking 

 man, seemed to be perfectly aware when a fresh 

 bottle would be wanted, and he always made his 

 appearance with it to a moment. Its brightness 

 was then duly examined, and it made its rounds 

 like its predecessors. It was, however, the old 

 stagers who paid the greatest devotion to their 

 favorite beverage; and notwithstanding their fre- 

 quent libations, it appeared to produce no effect upon 

 them until late in the evening. The first symptom 

 which was evinced of exhiliration, was a proposal 

 from the senior fellow for a catch, by way of en- 

 livening the company. This was opposed by some 

 of the juniors, who were probably aware of what 

 was coming, and were fearful of some breach of 

 decorum in the presence of a stranger. It was, 

 however, carried against them, with a little assist- 

 ance I lent to the proposal, as I felt curious to 

 hear what sort of a catch would be sung by the 

 venerable seniors of the college. After a short 

 consultation, the thing was settled, the juniors 

 declining to lend any aid to the performance ; but 

 retaining their seats in dignified silence, looking 



