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have got?’ ‘D———n their ears and ornaments too,’ says the ’squire: ‘why, the fellow’s mad!' @What!’ cries Thomas, ‘do you grumble?’ ‘Grumble,’ quoth the ’squire, ‘why, I think it is high time to grumble: the next thing, I suppose, my carriage is to be given away for a sand-cart!’ On Thomas procuring the horses again, he paid him his wages and forfeit-money, being heartily tired with the oddity of his whims, and declared that Thomas, the London coachman, was the drollest dog he ever met with.
BROSE AND BUTTER.
During the time of Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorship, the principal residence of Charles II. was at the court of his sister in Holland; the laird of Cockpen, a staunch adherent to the House of Stuart, followed the prince thither, and attached himself to Charles’ household. Cockpen, from his skill and proficiency in music, very much contributed to divert his royal master, by the impressive manner in which he played the favourite airs of his native country; but none pleased Charles so well as the tune of “Brose and Butter.” So partial was he to this air, that with “Brose and Butter” sounding in his ears he was lulled asleep at night, and with “Brose and Butter” awaked from his morning slumber. At the Restoration, Cockpen returned to Scotland, where he found that, in consequence of his attachment to the royal cause, his estate had been attainted. Many were the applications he made to have it put again in his possession, but all to no purpose. He at length went to London, but was coldly received by the
