174 A BUMPER 



retire, when my friend, then sitting at the head of the 

 table, having glanced at me to attract my attention, said 

 to him, — 



" Barnes, will you take a glass of wine ? " 



" Thank you, sir," replied the man, in a most re- 

 spectful manner. 



" Get yourself a glass, Barnes." 



Taking one off the sideboard, he put it next the 

 decanter. This was immediately exchanged by the 

 president for a large soda-water glass, into which he 

 emptied the bottle of port. 



" Good health to you, gentlemen," said the man, and, 

 taking up the glass, disposed of its contents without 

 taking it from his lips. Replacing the empty vessel on 

 the table, and giving evident signs of satisfaction, he 

 made his bow and was going. 



" Stop, Barnes," cried my friend — " wet the other 

 eye." 



Then, emptying another full bottle that stood beside 

 him, Barnes disposed of that in the same summary 

 manner, and, according another bow to the company, 

 made his way to the door with as firm a step and 

 apparently as clear a head as he had entered. 



With these gentlemen I continued my intimacy until 

 the termination of their University career, when they 

 dispersed. Returning to their different parental abodes, 

 the majority became beneficed clergymen ; and it has 

 been very gratifying to me to hear of their social 

 advancement, and of their usefulness in the ministry. 

 There was one, in particular, whose witty conversation 

 and classic attainments both amused and enlightened me, 



