1 >- A VISIT TO OXFORD. 



catches were sung, which I do not now recollect, 

 and late in the evening, broiled bones, and other 

 stimulants, \\cre introduced, followed by a huge 

 silver tankard of mighty ale 



' With toast cmbrown'd, and fragrant nutmeg fraught.' 



I must say that Oxford ale deserves all the pane- 

 gyric uhii-h Warton has bestowed upon it, when 

 he exclaimed 



' Balm of my cares, sweet solace of my toils, 

 ' Hail, juice benignant.' 



The old fellows shewed themselves to be true 

 ilist iplos of the poet laureate, and all due justice 

 was done to the foaming tankard. When it had 

 been properly discussed, a large tumbler of punch 

 was placed Ix-tore each person who chose to partake 

 of it, and at a late hour we separated, after I had 

 received many hearty shakes of the hand, and 

 many pressing invitations to renew my visit. Alas ! 

 most, if not all, of these fine old specimens of 

 college bachelors are now reposing in the vaults of 

 their venerable and splendid chapel. They were 

 probably some of the last of a set of men, who, 

 like the Dutch professor in the Vicar of Wakefield, 

 could eat, drink, and sleep well, without under- 

 standing a word of Greek. 



The next morning one of the junior fellows, who 

 has since distinguished himself for his talents and 



learning as the Bishop of , called upon me, in 



order to account for the scene of the preceding 



