Dr. What quantity of port do you drink?
Pa. O, very little; not above half a dozen glasses or so.
Dr. In the west country, it is impossible, I hear, to dine without punch?
Pa. Yes, sir; indeed, ’tis punch we drink chiefly; but, for myself, unless I happen to have a friend with me, I never take more than a couple of tumblers or so, and that’s moderate.
Dr. O, exceedingly moderate, indeed! You then, after this slight repast, take some tea and bread and butter?
Pa. Yes, before I go to the counting-house to read the evening letters.
Dr. And on your return you take supper, I suppose?
Pa. No, sir, I canna be said to take supper; just something before going to bed;—a rizzered haddock, or a bit of toasted cheese, or a half-hundred oysters, or the like o’that, and, maybe, two-thirds of a bottle of ale; but I take no regular supper.
Dr. But you take a little more punch after that?
Pa. No, sir; punch does not agree with me at bedtime. I take a tumbler of warm whiskey-toddy at night; it is lighter to sleep on.