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Rh drunk, and Mr. Bagshot had dried his tears and applied himself to his favourite drink—which, by the way, was "blue ruin,"—the work of division took place. The discretion and impartiality of the Captain in this arduous part of his duty attracted universal admiration; and each gentleman having carefully pouched his share, the youthful President hemmed thrice, and the society became aware of a purposed speech.

"Gentlemen!" began Clifford, and his main supporter, the sapient Augustus, shouted out 'Hear!'—"Gentlemen, you all know that when, some months ago, you were pleased,—partly at the instigation of Gentleman George,—God bless him!—partly from the exaggerated good opinion expressed of me by my friends,—to elect me to the high honour of the command of this district; I myself was by no means ambitious to assume that rank, which I knew well was far beyond my merits, and that responsibility, which I knew with equal certainty was too weighty for my powers. Your voices, however, overruled my own, and as