Past ana Present, 53 



with Mr. Booth for half-a-crown, that you can 

 swallow a quart of ale without taking the jug 

 from your lips. If you can do this, I will give 

 you the half-crown, as well as the ale." 



"That's just what I should like," said Matt, 

 "You can consider your bet won." 



Mr. Robinson ordered the landlord to draw 

 a quart of ale, put it into a brown jug, and froth 

 it up well. He then turned to Mr. Booth, to let 

 him see the mouse put into it, and then handed 

 it to Matt, remarking : "Now, Matt, don't forget, 

 you have to finish it before you take it from 

 your mouth." 



He did so; and when Mr. Booth asked if he 

 had tasted anything wrong. Matt said, "Nay I 

 I didn't 'xactly taste ow't wrong, but I thow't 

 ther' was a bit ov a hop in 't." 



I have heard Mr. Robinson tell this several 

 times, and he always said it was true. Possibly 

 it might be, for I myself have seen a navvy 

 swallow— or rather pour down — a quart of ale 



