OF THE OLD WORLD. 67 



is, the remains of a fine woman, with a veiy pleasing 

 and comfortable cast of countenance. As I was 

 puffing away, with my understandings twisted in 

 such a knot that I started the seams of my galligas- 

 kins, she kept smiling and nodding in such a way 

 at your humble servant, that I fairly thought that 

 I should ha' had to cut and run, for she seemed to 

 ha' made a dead set at me, so I just told her I was 

 a married man, wi' fourteen sma' bairns at hame ; 

 but even the prospect o' sae mony incumbrances did 

 not seem to discourage her — she was as sweet on me 

 as ever, and presented me with betel-nut and some 

 sweetmeats, both of which I refused. She then 

 offered me the identical flask I had sent her in the 

 morning, which I took, and just to show her that I 

 was no' afraid o' my ain drugs, I raised the bottle to 

 my lips, lifted it higher and higher, but de'il a drop 

 o' the creature was there in it. 'Twas as dry as a 

 bone. I gave the old lady a look from the corner 

 of my eye, but what was my astonishment when I 

 saw her apparently in a fit, on the broad o' her back, 

 almost burstino; wi' laughter. When she came to 

 herself and could speak, she gave me a gentle hint 

 that a full bottle was better than an empty one, and 

 that the stuff was good, and agreed with her con- 

 stitution ; so I couldna do less than promise her 

 more. 



" We then got talking together quite familiar- 

 like, and she told me that her daughter was as 

 beautiful as a peri, and was about to be married 



