The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 31: what you’re looking at

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14 THE STEAM PACKET. regiment the captain had served in; for if ever the question were put to him, he invariably contrived to evade an answer, and yet not ap- pear embarrassed. Secondly, his sources of income were entirely un- known; nevertheless, he drank his punch and smoked his cigars, as freely as any other member of the club; was particularly liberal to the waiter, and settled his score with punctuality. He had ingratiated himself into the favour of Mr. Pifpaf, whose little foibles (for all great men have their foibles) he judiciously flattered; and rumour asserted , that Captain Pentonville would probably lead the elder Miss Pifpaf to the hymeneal altar at no distant day. But we left Captain Pentonville upon his legs; and we must now hear what he has to say for himself. In a commanding but musical tone, he spoke as follows :— ‘‘ Mr. Chairman,— Having been called upon to preside over the committee appointed by the honourable club to take into considera- tion the mode and means of enabling those members, who may feel so disposed, to partake of a few weeks’ recreation in each other’s society, it is now my duty to communicate to you, sir, and to this meeting, the result of our deliberations. Jt was wisely observed by you, Mr. Chairman, the other evening, that occasional pleasure is as necessary to man as the toils with which he obtains his bread. We must all unbend, sir, at times: it is better to laugh than to cry. And when, sir, I behold a gentleman of your importance and standing in society —a gentleman who has twice received the vote of thanks of his fellow- citizens for most extraordinary actions of philanthropy ;—when, I say, I perceive a gentleman like Mr. Timothy Pifpaf, coming forward to join in our pleasures, and countenance our amusements,—when I con- template so solemn, so inspiring, so noble an act of condescension, I cannot for one moment hesitate to express my conviction that all the faithful members of this honourable and independent club will flock around their great—their respected—their devoted leader. (Jmmense cheering.) Gentlemen, I have visited foreign parts, and have seen much of the world ;—but I never beheld so animated a spectacle as this now before me. (Cheers.) I hold Her Majesty’s commission, gentlemen—lI belong to a service of which all true Britons should be proud; and next to holding the rank of captain in Her Majesty’s service, gentlemen, the circumstance of which I am most proud is that of being an honourable and independent Luminary. (Zhunders of applause.) I owe much to this society. In the first place, I am indebted for the acquaintance of one gentleman, whose friendship I cannot too highly prize—gentlemen, I allude to our worthy chairman. (Hear!) Gentlemen, I am accustomed to move in that sphere of Eomicbooks.co