ladies!"--a toast that was drunk with great enthusiasm, Mr. Lark vociferously applauding; at the same time stating, in an under tone--"the doctor meant a long life of ills and bills." Dr. Portbin's sentiment is echoed by Mr. Brown, who returns thanks in a stereotype-speech, almost as original as a royal one; to which, in some points, it bore slight resemblance, the ideas being very much generalized--there was an "alliance with foreign powers," "acquisition of territory," and "friendly relations:"--altogether a prosperous allegory, which causes Captain de Camp to be "called upon;" and, in that style of speech usually denominated "neat," give very visible vent to his inexpressible feelings--sketching several scenes, commencing at Victoria Villa and ending at St. Stephen's,--with a verse, intended to look as if composed for the nonce; but, in reality, a work of much study:--it was delivered with great emphasis--a composition for which we had to blush, though, as faithful chroniclers, feel bound to insert--it ran as follows:-- "Victoria and Albert's big With city's wealth and soldier's glory: To Army, Queen, and Country swig: Improve, my friends, and prove the Tory!" We do not think the Captain quite liked the word "swig," but he could find no better in "Walker's Rhyming Dictionary;" or the last expression--but _Conservative_ could not be lugged in any how:--however, we must say, this ostensible improvisatorial effort produced a grand effect, and a greater noise; which had scarcely subsided, when Mr. Serjeant Wideawake, the Honourable Member for Bloomsbury, and author of "Lays of a Liberal," rose to retort, saying,-- "We beg to doubt your precious rig, And I'll tell you another story: To _improve_ is to be a _whig_; But not to _improve-is-a-tory_!" [Illustration]