SUCCESSION OF TOASTS. 61 



sense of his absence by piercing screams ; and 

 on a party being detailed to inquire into the 

 cause, we found the unhappy absentee had 

 been ' baled up ' in his bedroom by an irate 

 turkey-cock who, resenting his intrusion in 

 the yard, had violently assaulted and expelled 

 him. 



Having released the prisoner, and finding 

 that no one remained to whose health tum- 

 blers had not been emptied, the toolambatch 

 rose to the occasion, and showed himself 

 worthy of the public confidence reposed in 

 him. Toast followed toast in rapid succession, 

 until sobriety trembled on its last legs, and 

 instant flight or an ignominious descent below 

 the salt seemed imminent. ' To the health of 

 Madame AV.,' said the toolambatch. Clink, 

 clink went the glasses, up they flew, and 

 again the rattling plates recorded another 

 glassful to be atoned for with headaches and 

 soda-water the day after. 



