_Slowgoe._ I see nothing to sneer at, nothing whatever. If Mr Scott is fond of a glass, who better than a clergyman could be, as the words go, his constant guardian? But it’s like you levellers. If you can’t have good done after your own way, you’d rather it shouldn’t be done at all. _Nutts._ Good done! Why, it’s right that a horse shouldn’t be hocussed, certainly; but for that reason should a clergyman of the Established Church sleep with the beast in the stable? It’s right that dice shouldn’t be loaded or cards marked; but would it be right that a clergyman should see fair play in every gaming-house? If parsons are to wait upon jockeys, what’s to prevent ’em--if their patrons require it--what’s to prevent ’em turning bottle-holders to prize-fighters? _Slowgoe._ So I see Mr Newton’s writ to Lord Ripon to know what his Lordship means by setting on his attorney to sneer at him, and of course his Lordship won’t answer him; he knows the dignity of a nobleman better. _Nutts._ To be sure; that’s what’s called the privilege of the peerage: to pelt a common man with mud, and then silently wonder at his impudence when he complains of the dirt. _Bleak._ Here’s great news, glorious news! (_Reading._) “It is said that the Duke of Marlborough intends shortly to take up his permanent residence at Blenheim Palace.”--_Oxford Chronicle._ _Nosebag._ Well, that’s somethin’ to comfort us for the ’tato blight. When the newspapers is ringin’ with all sorts of horrors, it is a real bit of pleasure to come upon a piece of news like that. I wonder that the papers that tell us when dukes and lords change their houses, don’t also tell us when they change their coats. _Nutts._ Very true. After this fashion: “We are delighted to inform our enlightened public that the Marquis of Londonderry appeared yesterday in a bran-new patent paletot. He will wear it for the next fortnight, and then return to his usual blue for the season.” _Bleak._ Here’s another bit. (_Reads._) “Viscount”--well, never mind the name--“Viscount ---- has gone on a visit to his noble relatives, where the Viscountess is expected to join his Lordship at the expiration of her duties as lady-in-waiting to the Queen.” _Nosebag._ I never could make that out, how ladies, with husbands and families, could go and be ladies’-maids and chambermaids even to a queen. _Nutts._ Easily accounted for, bless you! It’s all their humbleness. They go to know what service really is, that they may be all the kinder and gentler to their own ladies’-maids and chambermaids at home. _Slowgoe._ So the Spanish match is going on. _Nutts._ And real match it will be too, with brimstone at both ends. _Slowgoe._ I see the Duke Montpensier leaves Paris on the 27th, his baggage-waggon’s gone before him.