152 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



farm-house of a genuine old English farmer, where I had once 

 before passed a night, when on a shooting excursion. In a cold, 

 disagreeable November evening the hospitable roof of my 

 friend. Mr. Thomas Palmer, of East Garston, near Lambourne, 

 presented itself to my view, and, although I had only met him 

 twice before, I felt assured of a welcome reception. Being but 

 a lad when I first became acquainted with him, I rather doubted 

 whether he would recollect me at all ; but there was no alterna- 

 tive, I must either obtain shelter there, or pass the night in 

 some barn on the downs, for the shades of evening were 

 gathering fast around me. I accordingly put a bold face on the 

 matter, and, approaching the house, asked if the master were at 

 home. He soon made his appearance, but did not immediately 

 recollect me. At this I was not surprised, as a few years had 

 altered my appearance. "Well," I said, " Mr. Palmer, if you do 

 not recollect me, do you remember the old tune of ' Drops of 

 Brandy ? " " Come along, sir ; I remember all about it now. 

 Here, Jack, Thomas, come and take this gentleman's horse." 

 The last place of our meeting had been at a ball, given by his 

 landlord to all the tenantry, and after being quite tired with 

 quadrille and waltz tunes, he had begged me to get up a country 

 dance, to his favourite tune of " Drops of Brandy." This, after 

 some little persuasion with the ladies, and an explanatory 

 whistle to the musicians, who pretended they had never heard 

 of such a tune, I at last eifected, to the great delight of my old 

 friend, who?.e heart and soul seemed in the dance, although too 

 far advanced in years to join in bodily exertion. I fancy I can 

 see him now, with his jovial, good-humoured face, snapping his 

 fingers, and cheering us on when flagging. To please him I kept 

 it going as long as I could hold six or seven couples together, 

 in which 1 was kindly assisted by one of the young ladies of the 

 family ; but we were at last fairly beaten, and from that hour I 

 have never forgotten " Drops of Brandy." 



Having seen my horse snugly provided for in a good warm 

 stable, with plenty of assistants to rub him down, I accom- 

 panied my worthy host to the house, where a good dinner, under 

 the able superintendence of Miss P., as she was always called, 

 was soon provided for us, and we sat down to enjoy ourselves, 

 and talk of the days of " Auld Lang Syne." Drops of brandy 

 were not forgotten, with which, after my long and cold ride, I 

 was not sorry to renew my acquaintance, when, after dinner, 

 we drew round to the fire, and settled comfortably down in our 

 easy chairs for the evening. We retired to rest at a late hour, 

 and, what with discussing a bottle or two of Miss P.'s good 

 orange wine, and tlie few drops of brandy afterwards, my 



