The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 207: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

158 “THE STEAM PACKET. “¢ It is possible that this may be caused by some internal malforma- tion,” replied the priest. ‘Ah! he used to drink an awful quantity of wine,” observed mine host, with a sigh: ‘and the very best too—the very best that I had in my cellar, But luckily the will is there!” Captain Pentonville kindly wished the three worthies “ joy of it,” and retired to jom Buckram. After a few minutes’ conversation, the two travellers repaired to their bedchambers, while the landlord, the priest, and the notary maintained their vigil at the bed of the invalid. Throughout the night the generous and wealthy Pole continued to sleep on soundly as before, to the great dismay of those who watched him, and who hoped every moment to see him surrender up the ghost. At day-break he opened his eyes; and as the fast of the preceding day had improved his appetite, which was always naturally good, he de- termined to appease his hunger First and foremost, however, he started up in bed, and called out lustily for drink. The landlord hastened to give him a glass of water, which he swallowed at a draught. ‘* What the devil have you given me there?” cried Lievebewitz. ‘Is there no more wine in your cellar, friend Grand Canard ?” ‘* Pardon me, my dear gentleman,” answered Touchet; ‘‘ but you are so weak and feeble—dying——”’ , ** You are right ; and my lethargy has deprived me of my memory,” said the invalid. ‘‘ But since I am so weak, could I not have strengthening liquors to revive me ?”’ ‘“¢ Ah! my dear vicar,”’ whispered Nicholas to the priest, ‘‘ my pre- sentiments have not deceived me—he will recover!” ‘* If he does, I will excommunicate him !’’ answered the clergyman. “‘ And I will bring an action for damages,’ observed the notary. “Wine! wine!” ejaculated the Pole; and taking his white nighteap from his head, he threw it in the landiord’s face. | “*Give him wine—give him all he asks for,’”’ whispered the priest. ‘¢ Fever has impaired his understanding ;—wine is the father of fever ; and fever is the best friend that legatees possess.”’ The landlord would have emptied his cellars, had it been necessary, to produce such desirable results; he accordingly proceeded to his vaults, whence he speedily returned with a couple of bottles of the best and most generous wines he possessed, under each arm. Upon my honour, my dear host,” said Lievebewitz, after having drunk about half a bottle of the exhilarating liquor, “‘ I do not think I ever tasted anything better.. Pray pour me out some more—again— there ;—I am very unwell—and this may be called the stirrup-cup, Gomicbooks (E(0) 4 4 :