" The period within which I had
promised to join Horace Eglantine had now elapsed. It was no easy task
to separate myself from my nautical friends, and the amusement they had
afforded me demanded some acknowledgment in return; calling, therefore,
for a full bowl of punch, we drank success to the British navy, toasted
wives and sweethearts, honoured our gracious king, shook ~191~~hands at
parting, like old friends, and having promised to renew my acquaintance
before I left Portsmouth, I bade adieu to jolly Jem Buntline and what
remained of his noble messmate, the lion-hearted Tom Tackle.
[Illustration: page 191]
EVENING, AND IN HIGH SPIRITS.
A SCENE AT LONG'S HOTEL.
~192~~
Sketches of Character--Fashionable Notorieties--Modern
Philosophy--The Man of Genius and the Buck--"A short Life
and a merry one "--A Short Essay on--John Longs--Long Corks
--Long Bills--Long Credits--Long-winded Customers--The
Ancients and the Moderns, a Contrast by Old Crony.
Ye bucks who in manners, dress, fashion, and shiny,
So often have hail'd me as lord of your gang--
"O lend me your ears!" whilst I deign to relate
The cause of my splendour, the way to be great;
My own chequered life condescend to unfold,
And give a receipt of more value than gold;
Reveal t' ye the spot where the graces all dwell,
And point out the path like myself to excel.
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