of this person, he was the son of a parish schoolmaster, who, being very desirous that his boy should become a hero and a scholar, thought it prudent, on the Shandean principle, to bestow upon him praenomina suitable to the deeds he should one day achieve, as well as corresponding to his future literary eminence. Nor did Julius altogether baulk these fond paternal hopes, for, after having acted as tutor to Sir Alisander, he procured a situation in the West Indies, where he actually held a commission in the Kingston Volunteers, and where he, moreover, made some figure in a debating club. Having realized a little fortune, he returned to repose under his laurels, and having built a snug, upright-gabled house in his native village, he became the humble, but inseparable companion of his former pupil.

The seats in the neighbourhood of the chair were occupied by the Lairds of Blutterbog, Whinnyshaw, Blawweary, Crazletap, Windlestrawlee, and Windygoul, individuals having so little particularly striking or characteristic about them, as to require no minute delineation.

After them came Bailie Sparrowpipe the mer

cer from the neighbouring borough, a tall, thin, spindle shanked man about forty-five or fifty; a sort of dandy of the day, with white thread stockings, large brass buckles, short-knee'd black serge breeches, yellow waiscoat, and cinnamoncoloured coat, of the old cut, pale face, and small pinking eyes, which had enough ado to see beyond a long sharp-pointed nose, and his hair peaked up in a toupee before, and tied in a silk bag behind. His body was bent forward at about half its altitude, in an angle so acute, that his nose and toes always entered a room several seconds before the rear-guard of his person. This conformation, in the opinion of many, was bestowed originally upon them by nature; but it was more generally believed, that he owed it partly, if not wholly, to the obsequious bows he made over the counter to the ladies who frequented his shop.

Next to Sparrowpipe sat Deacon M'Candy the grocer, a thick-set round-bellied vulgar little man, with a bluish red face and fiery eyes, betokening a lurking violence of temper, capable of occasionally rousing him from that natural apathy indicated by the stupidity of his countenance.

On the opposite side of the table to him sat Dr Partenclaw, who prided himself upon his vocal powers, and who had been leader of the catch. He was a little man with a large jowl, pig's eyes, red hooked nose, sack belly, spindle thighs, cased in dirty leather breeches, and limbs bound in a sort of black leather greaves, fastened with iron clasps.

Besides these, there were some inferior persons, who, as they seated themselves there for no other purpose than to assist in emptying the hogshead, to fill up the chorus of the songs, or to join in the roar or laugh, are hardly worth particulariz

ing.

CHAPTER III.

Benedetto

Quel claretto

Che si spilla in Avignone

Questo vasto Bellicone

Io ne verso entro 'l mio petto.

Baccho in Toscana.

Since my Phyllis has fall'n to my share,
In a bumper I'll drink to the fair,
And the man here who envies me most,
Let him bid me say more to the toast,
For a larger I'll soon change my cup,
To the brim fill the Constable up.

Calch, Edinburgh Catch Club.

WHEN Macgillivray entered with the gentlemen, the tumultuous Bacchanalian roar that followed the termination of the catch was hushed, and the strangers were surveyed from all quarters, with half-closed eyes, and twisted-up mouths, betokening the serious scrutiny of men in a state of wise intoxication. To judge of the

plight of the party, it is only necessary to be informed, that this was the second night of their orgies.

Macgillivray having introduced Amherst and Cleaver to Sir Alisander, the good Knight rose to receive them, and the maudlin company got up in imitation of their President, like an ill drilled squad, tardily following the motions of the fugal." Chairs,-chairs for the gentlemen!"cried the Baronet. But besides that on which he sat himself, there was but one rickety chair in the place. That was instantly ceded by the polite Fustlecraig of Windlestraw, who placed it for Amherst near Sir Alisander, and went to seat himself on the end of a form lower down the table. Cleaver, whose jovial heart was expanded by the sight of so jolly a party, was so eager to join the revellers, that he immediately placed himself on an empty brandy anker set on end, and proceeded, without loss of time, to attack two huge high-flavoured dishes, one containing hot, broiled, smoked haddocks, and the other, red herrings of most inviting savour, which, with some oaten cakes, and a few pewter platters, were at this moment