LORD BOSTON. And pray, sir, what did you do with the commission, the post, the Duke of Grafton gave you, in lieu of your losses at Preston election, and the expenses of your trial at the king's bench for a riot, which had emptied your pockets?--Why you sold it--you sold it, sir--to raise cash to gamble with.---- ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Damn it, don't let us kick up a dust among ourselves, to be laugh'd at fore and aft--this is a hell of a council of war--though I believe it will turn out one before we've done--a scolding and quarrelling like a parcel of damn'd butter whores--I never heard two whores yet scold and quarrel, but they got to fighting at last. CLINTON. Pray, Gentlemen, drop this discourse, consider the honour of England is at stake, and our own safety depends upon this day's consultation. LORD BOSTON. 'Tis not for argument's sake--but the dignity of my station requires others should give up first. ELBOW ROOM. Sir, I have done, lest you should also accuse me of obstructing the proceedings of the council of war. MR. CAPER. For the same reason I drop it now. LORD BOSTON. Well, Gentlemen, what are we met here for? ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Who the devil shou'd know, if you don't?--damn it, didn't you send for us? LORD BOSTON. Our late great loss of men has tore up the foundation of our plan, and render'd all further attempts impracticable--'t will be a long time ere we can expect any more reinforcements--and if they should arrive, I'm doubtful of their success. CLINTON. The provincials are vastly strong, and seem no novices in the art of war; 'tis true we gain'd the hill at last, but of what advantage is it to us?--none--the loss of 1400 as brave men as Britain can boast of, is a melancholy consideration, and must make our most sanguinary friends in England abate of their vigour. ELBOW ROOM. I never saw or read of any battle equal to it--never was more martial courage display'd, and the provincials, to do the dogs justice, fought like heroes, fought indeed more like devils than men; such carnage and destruction not exceeded by Blenheim, Minden, Fontenoy, Ramillies, Dettingen, the battle of the Boyne, and the late affair of the Spaniards and Algerines--a mere cock-fight to it--no laurels there. MR. CAPER. No, nor triumphs neither--I regret in particular the number of brave officers that fell that day, many of whom were of the first families in England. ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Aye, a damn'd affair indeed--many powder'd beaus--petit maitres--fops--fribbles--skip jacks--macaronies--jack puddings--noblemen's bastards and whores' sons fell that day--and my poor marines stood no more chance with 'em than a cat in hell without claws. LORD BOSTON. It can't be help'd, Admiral; what is to be done next? ADMIRAL TOMBSTONE. Done?--why, what the devil have you done? nothing yet, but eat Paramount's beef, and steal a few Yankee sheep--and that, it seems, is now become a damn'd lousy, beggarly trade too, for you hav'n't left yourselves a mouthful to eat.