from friends whether temporally or for ever, is a sad
thing, and the former is typical of the latter. No, I do
not know as I would. We may use these things, but not
abuse them. Be temperate, be moderate, but it is a sorry
heart that knows no pleasure. Take your night-cap, Sam,
and then commend yourself to His safe keeping, who rules
the wind and the waves to Him who--"

"Well then, minister, what a dreadful awful looking thing
a night-cap is without a tassel, ain't it? Oh! you must
put a tassel on it, and that is another glass. Well
then, what is the use of a night-cap, if it has a tassel
on it, but has no string, it will slip off your head the
very first turn you take; and that is another glass you
know. But one string won't tie a cap; one hand can't
shake hands along with itself: you must have two strings
to it, and that brings one glass more. Well then, what
is the use of two strings if they ain't fastened? If you
want to keep the cap on, it must be tied, that's sartain,
and that is another go; and then, minister, what an
everlastin' miserable stingy, ongenteel critter a feller
must be, that won't drink to the health of the Female
Brewer. Well, that's another glass to sweethearts and
wives, and then turn in for sleep, and that's what I
intend to do to-night. I guess I'll tie the night-cap
this hitch, if I never do agin, and that's a fact."

"Oh Sam, Sam," said Mr. Hopewell, "for a man that is wide
awake and duly sober, I never saw one yet that talked
such nonsense as you do. You said, you understood me,