. Punch . :— Dear Punch, Letter L., Great Court, Trinity. Come to my rooms at half-past nine. All the lest fellows in college will be there. Wewill put you up to a wrinkle or two, and intend presenting you with a piece of plate. Your old admirer, Put on an old coat. Richard Slapperton. We accepted, and told the gyp, or attendant, we should not fail. We shall now see the system inoperation, thought we, joyously. We are going to mingle with the young shapers of Englandsfuture—her legislators, divines, generals,—in embryo. And we felt a meek pride in our position. At five oclock we found our
. Punch . :— Dear Punch, Letter L., Great Court, Trinity. Come to my rooms at half-past nine. All the lest fellows in college will be there. Wewill put you up to a wrinkle or two, and intend presenting you with a piece of plate. Your old admirer, Put on an old coat. Richard Slapperton. We accepted, and told the gyp, or attendant, we should not fail. We shall now see the system inoperation, thought we, joyously. We are going to mingle with the young shapers of Englandsfuture—her legislators, divines, generals,—in embryo. And we felt a meek pride in our position. At five oclock we found ourselves at Mr. s rooms. We knocked ; a gyp opened the door to us, took our paletot and hat, and, throwing open an inner door, announced— Mr. Punch. Wewere evidently not expected by the party. A sudden start and suppressed chuckle of excitementamong a dozen young men who sat^round a table covered with a dessert, was checked by the host, who MWMIPiilllMWi HVltW- ! M 1&11MII1III 11 Iflffi/^l H mm,. blandly welcomed me, and set me on his right hind. We sat and proudly looked about us. Is itnot calm and delightful < whispered tlie host to me. It was calm—very calm—every man sat PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. 205 stiffly on his chair ; not a smile was visible ; the wine went round rapidly, but in silence. The hostmade a mild remark on the weather. A young man took it up. It went round three who sat nexthim ; the fourth attempted to keep it up ; but, after a desperate struggle, dropped it again, and allwas silent as before. No ribaldry, no excess, you observe, again whispered my host. We answered conscientiously, Quite the reverse. The young man who sat next me, at this moment kicked me violently on the shin, under thetable, and winked. At the same moment, a sort of general winking went round the table ; but noone said anything. It was very dreary. You were at lecture, this morning, Mr. Bolt, inquired Mr. , after anotherprolonged silence. Oh yes, Sir, answered Mr. Bolt
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