Horatio Heartly.
THE SPREAD,{1} OR WINE PARTY AT BRAZEN-NOSE.
"Hear, Momus, hoar! blithe sprite, whose dimpling cheek
Of quips, and cranks ironic, seems to speak,
Who lovest learned victims, and whose shrine
Groans with the weight of victims asinine.
Nod with assent! thy lemon juice infuse!
Though of male sex, I woo thee for a Muse."
A College Wine Party described—Singular Whim of Horace
Eglantine—Meeting of the Oxford Crackademonians—Sketches
of eccentric Characters, drawn from the Life—The Doctor's
Daughter—An old Song—A Round of Sculls—Epitaphs on the
Living and the Dead—Tom Tick, a College Tale—The Voyagers
—Notes and Anecdotes.
A college wine party I could very well conceive from the specimen I had already of my companion's frolicsome humours, was not unlikely to produce some departure from college rules which might eventually involve me in rustication, fine, or imposition. To avoid it was impossible; it was the first invitation of an early friend, and must be obeyed. The anticipation of a bilious head-ache on the morrow, or perhaps a first appearance before, or lecture from, the vice-chancellor, principal, or proctor, made me somewhat tardy in my appearance at the spread. The butler was just marching a second