78 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



cordially acquiesce in the arrangements we propose 

 making. But clear the table, Meg, and bring 

 glasses ; we can do nothing without the jug social ; 

 our wits won't work without it. 



/ 



[During the dictation of these by the worthy Doctor, 

 assisted by Jack Leister and Tom Otter, Gaff slyly 

 slunk away to bed, and Bill May-fly stood at the 

 shutters, amusing himself with an apostrophe to the 

 moon, part of which is preserved in the MS. scroll of 

 regulations drawn out in the neat and diminutive hand 

 of Harry Haqkle, Esq. who obviously took advantage 

 of certain pauses in the Doctor's composition to pre- 

 serve this singular record.] 



May. Ha! my maiden moon, astart to-night! 

 Have the sun-vampires stolen the blood from thee ? 

 Thou art ever blenched in the forehead, and solemn 

 of countenance. Hast no saifron to heighten thy 

 complexion ? Lack-a-day ! why dost thou rob me 

 of my laughs and frolics? Thy melancholy is 

 catching. Ah ! my fair mistress, thou hast none of 

 the merry twinkling these stars have nothing 

 humorous about thee. Why come hither? Art 

 thou on an embassage to tearful lovers ? Oh ! thou'rt 

 a false witch, and pryest into our crimes and cala- 

 mities. Aback! aback! there is nothing for thy 

 search beyond these shutters no sorrows here, 

 madam; and yet, not good-night 'twould be an 

 early parting to bid good-night so soon, and to one 

 so lovely. Was't thus in the beginning and did 



