patient to follow him, as they had made up their minds not to be drunk before supper. The ladies too were extremely curious to witness an exhibition which had been announced in so singular a preamble: and the Squire, having previously insisted on every gentleman tossing off a half-pint bumper, adjourned the whole party to the library, where they were not a little surprised to discover Mr. Cranium seated, in a pensive attitude, at a large table, decorated with a copious variety of skulls.
Some of the ladies were so much shocked at this extraordinary display, that a scene of great confusion ensued. Fans were very actively exercised, and water was strenuously called for by some of the most officious of the gentlemen; on which the little butler entered, with a large allowance of liquid, which bore, indeed, the name of water, but was in reality a very powerful spirit. This was the
