“‘Hurra—­bravo—­hear brother Captain Phil.’

“‘Yes, gentlemen,’ continued Phil, rising up; ’yes, Mr. Civil—­Evil—­Devil; d—­n my honor, I must be on it now—­I am bold to say that we are—­are—­a set of—­’

“‘Hurra—­hurra—­we are, brother Captain Phil’

“’And, gentlemen, not only that, but true blues. (Three cheers for the Castle Cumber True Blue.) And what’s a true blue, gentlemen?  I ask you zealously—­I ask you as a gentleman—­I ask you as a man—­I ask you determinedly, as one that will do or die, if it comes to that’—­(here there was a thump on the table at every word)—­I ask you as an officer of the Castle Cumber Cavalry—­and, gentlemen, let any man that hears me—­that hears me, I say—­because, gentlemen, I ask upon independent principles, as the Deputy-Master of this Lodge, gentlemen—­(cheers, hurra, hurra)—­and the question is an important one—­one of the greatest and most extraordinary comprehension, so to speak; because, gentlemen, it involves—­this great question does—­it involves the welfare of his majesty, gentlemen, and of the great and good King William, gentlemen, who freed us from Pope and Popery, gentlemen, and wooden shoes, gentlemen—­’

“‘But not from wooden spoons, gentlemen,’ in a disguised voice from the lower end of the table.

“’Eh?—­certainly not—­certainly not—­I thank my worthy brother for the hint.  No, gentlemen, we unfortunately have wooden spoons up to the present day; but, gentlemen, if we work well together—­if we be in earnest—­if we draw the blade and throw away the scabbard, like our brothers, the glorious heroes of Scullabogue—­there is as little doubt, gentlemen, as that the sun this moment—­the moon, gentlemen; I beg pardon—­shines this moment, that we will yet banish wooden spoons, as the great and good King William did Popery, brass money, and wooden shoes.  Gentlemen, you will excuse me for this warmth; but I am not ashamed of it—­it is the warmth, gentlemen, that keeps us cool in the moment—­the glorious, pious and immortal moment of danger and true loyalty, and attachment to our Church, which we all love and practise on constitutional principles.  I trust, gentlemen, you will excuse me for this historical account of my feelings—­they are the principles, gentlemen, of a gentleman—­of a man—­of an officer of the Castle Cumber Cavalry—­and lastly of him who has the honor—­the glorious, pious, and immortal honor, I may say, to hold the honorable situation of Deputy-Master of this honorable Lodge.  Gentlemen, I propose our charter toast, with nine times nine—­the glorious, pious, and immortal memory.  Take the time, gentlemen, from me—­hip, hip, hurra.’

“‘Brother M’Clutchy,’ said a solemn-looking man, dressed in black, ’you are a little out of order—­or if not out of order, you have, with great respect, travelled beyond the usages of the Lodge.  In the first place—­of course you will pardon me—­I speak with great respect—­but, in the first place, you have proposed the charter toast, before that of the King, Protestant Ascendancy, Church and State; and besides, have proposed it with nine times nine, though it is always drunk in solemn silence.’