' -- All these toasts being received with loud
bursts of applause, Mr Fraser called for pint glasses, and filled
his own to the brim: then standing up, and all his brethren
following his example, 'Ma lords and gentlemen (cried he), here
is a cup of thanks for the great and undeserved honour you have
done your poor errand-boys this day.' -- So saying, he and they
drank off their glasses in a trice, and quitting their seats,
took their station each behind one of the other guests;
exclaiming, 'Noo we're your honours cawdies again.'
The nobleman who had bore the first brunt of Mr Fraser's satire,
objected to his abdication. He said, as the company was assembled
by invitation from the cawdies, he expected they were to be
entertained at their expense. 'By no means, my lord (cried
Fraser), I wad na he guilty of sic presumption for the wide
warld -- I never affronted a gentleman since I was born; and sure
at this age I wonnot offer an indignity to sic an honourable
convention.' 'Well (said his Lordship) as you have expended some
wit, you have a right to save your money. You have given me good
counsel, and I take it in good part. As you have voluntarily
quitted your seat, I will take your place with the leave of the
good company, and think myself happy to be hailed, Father of the
Feast.
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