An Epicurean Sheep. 125 



The following anecdote, which is not imaginary, 

 will serve as a slight illustration of the somewhat 

 unconventional manners and customs prevailing in 

 Glasgow itself, and which still give it something of 

 the air of a country town now that it is exceeded 

 in size and population by no city in Great Britain 

 except London. 



"A pet sheep, named Tom, well known in the 

 Saltmarket, was accustomed to follow his master into 

 the beershop, where he learned the first lesson of 

 inebriety. Being coaxed, for the amusement of the 

 company, to taste biscuit soaked in whisky, he soon 

 improved and became by degrees a genuine tippler. 

 When Tom was in his cups he was quite social ; 

 his greatest peculiarity was his epicurean fancies. 

 He relished sweetmeats, would drink tea, eat bervies,* 

 could chew tobacco, and was fond of oranges, and 

 well known to the dealers in that commodity. 

 Although at times amusing to them, he often turned 

 out a troublesome customer, upsetting their stands at 

 being refused his will of the fruit. At last he grew 

 so mischievous, dunching the children and gathering 

 crowds on the street, that his days were summarily 

 brought to a close in the public shambles." 



While refreshing his mind by thus practising his 

 pen on various topics of more or less importance, 

 Mr. Robertson did not allow his early faculty for 

 book-keeping to dwindle by neglect. His triumph 

 as a lad over the obstinate miller will be remembered. 

 He now entered into a somewhat similar contest on 

 his own behalf. 



* Bervies are preserved fish, which take their name from that of a 

 village where they are prepared. 



