On being desired to continue, Kenyon declared that he had done his part, and that it was now the turn of some one else. Moore and Rogers both claimed exemption, as being on the 'retired list' of the Parnassian army, and peremptorily demanded a contribution from the Transatlantic guest, Tracy Gould, who thereupon, with 'great diffidence,' as he tells us, delivered himself of the third and fourth stanzas: 'Gray Time shall pause and smooth his wrinkles, Bright garlands round his scythe shall twine; While sands from out his glass he sprinkles, To fill it up with wine-- With rosy sparkling wine! Thus hours shall pass which no man reckons, 'Mongst us, who, glad with mirth divine, Heed not the shadowy hand that beckons Across the sea of wine-- Of billowy gushing wine!' Kenyon then added another stanza, which suggested a final verse to the American: 'And though 'tis true they cross in pain, Who sober cross the Stygian ferry, Yet only make our Styx Champagne, And we shall cross right merry, Floating away on wine!' 'Old Charon's self shall make him mellow, Then gaily row his bark from shore; While we and every jolly fellow Hear unconcerned the oar That dips itself in wine!' By this time the inspiration and the Champagne were alike exhausted. The history of Champagne in England during the latter half of the present century may be briefly summed up in the assertion of the ever-growing popularity of the wine, and the high repute attained by certain brands, which it would be invidious to particularise. Its success in oiling the wheels of social life is so great and so universally acknowledged that its eclipse would almost threaten a collapse of our social system. We cannot open a railway, launch a vessel, inaugurate a public edifice, start a newspaper, entertain a distinguished foreigner, invite a leading politician to favour us with his views on things in general, celebrate an anniversary, or specially appeal on behalf of a benevolent institution without a banquet, and hence without the aid of Champagne, which, at the present day, is the obligatory adjunct of all such repasts.