worthy friends, and, allow me
to proceed," replied the host; "don't you know that every interruption
keeps you from your glass? Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in proposing
the health of my excellent and worthy step-son, who has, after a long
absence, made me and all my family happy by his return amongst us. I
am sure you will all like him when you come to know him, and that the
longer you know him, the better you will like him. Come now, let me
see the bottom of every man's glass uppermost. I do not address myself
directly to the parson or the priest, because that, I know, would be, as
the latter must admit, a want of confidence in their kindness.

"Parson," said the priest, in a whisper, "that last observation is
gratifying from Lindsay."

"Lindsay is a gentleman," replied the other, in the same voice; "and the
most popular magistrate in the barony. Come, then."

Here the worthy gentleman's health was drank with great enthusiasm,
after which he thanked them in very grateful and courteous terms, paying
at the same time, some rather handsome compliments to the two clergymen
with respect to the appropriate gravity and exquisite polish of their
manners. He saw the rapidity with which they had gulped down the wine,
and felt their rudeness in interrupting Mr. Lindsay, when about to
propose his health, as offensive, and he retorted it upon them with
peculiar irony, that being one of the talents, which, among others, he
had inherited from his mother.

"I cannot but feel myself happy," said he, "in returning to the roof of
so hospitable a father; but sensible to the influences of religion, as I
humbly trust I am, I must express a still higher gratification in having
the delightful opportunity of making the acquaintance of two reverend
gentlemen, whose proper and becoming example will, I am sure, guide
my steps--if I have only grace to follow it--into those serious and
primitive habits which characterize themselves, and are so decent and
exemplary in the ministers of religion. They may talk of the light of
the gospel; but, if I don't mistake, the light of the gospel itself
might pale its ineffectual fires before that which shines in their
apostolic countenances."

The mirth occasioned by this covert, but comical, rebuke, fell
rather humorously upon the two worthy gentlemen, who, being certainly
good-natured and excellent men, laughed heartily.

"That's a neat speech," said the parson, "but not exactly appropriate.
Fath