3l6 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



nerves thrilled at their arrival, the Blazers were honourably 

 feasted ; and, at the especial request of Mrs. Dawkins, 

 on that occasion I determined to make a character. 

 I really was half a hero ; presided at the head of my 

 own table like its master, gave divers bumper toasts, 

 and sat out the evening, until I was fairly hors de combat, 

 and tumbled from the chair. Drunk as I was, I 

 recollected clearly all that passed. As but a couple 

 of bottles a man had been then discussed, my early 

 fall appeared to create a sensation. * Is it a fit he has ? * 

 inquired an under-sized gentleman with an efflorescent 

 nose, who had been pointed out to me as a six-bottle 

 customer. * Phoo ! ' repUed my loving cousin, * the 

 man has no more bottom than a chicken. Lift him ; 

 he has a good heart, but a weak head, He^ll never do for 

 Galway ! But come, lads,' and Marc hopped over my 

 body, as I was being taken up by the servants, * I'll 

 give you that top-sawyer, his wife, and long may she 

 wear the breeches ! ' It was gratifying to find that the 

 toast was generally admired, for the very attendants 

 that * bore the corpse along,' stopped at the door, and 

 shouted * hip, hip, hurra 1 ' from the staircase. 



" Every day from this period I became more unhappy 

 and contemptible. My blue-stocking aunt, who, for 

 reasons unnecessary to explain, had been, since my 

 marriage totally estranged, was now officially informed, 

 that the name of Dawkins would be continued. She had 

 the true leven of family affection in her, and my past 

 neglect was pardoned, and the kindest letter returned 

 to my communication. One passage of her epistle 

 ran thus — ' Though I felt acutely at your selecting a 

 wife without even consulting one of whose attachment 

 you must be well convinced, I forgive all, from the 



