His memory, gentlemen,--in solemn silence! "These make the catalogue of our losses," resumed the youthful chief, so soon as the "red cup had crowned the memory" of Peter Popwell; "I am proud, even in sorrow, to think that the blame of those losses rests not with me.

And now, friends and followers! Gentlemen of the Road, the Street, the Theatre, and the Shop! Prigs, Tobymen, and Squires of the Cross! according to the laws of our Society, I resign into your hands that power which for two quarterly terms you have confided to mine, ready to sink into your ranks as a comrade, nor unwilling to renounce the painful honour I have borne,--borne with much infirmity, it is true, but at least with a sincere desire to serve that cause with which you have intrusted me." So saying, the captain descended from his chair amidst the most uproarious applause; and as soon as the first burst had partially subsided, Augustus Tomlinson rising, with one hand in his breeches' pocket and the other stretched out, said,-- "Gentlemen, I move that Paul Lovett be again chosen as our captain for the ensuing term of three months.

[Deafening cheers.] Much might I say about his surpassing merits; but why dwell upon that which is obvious?
Life is short! Why should speeches be long?
Our lives, perhaps, are shorter than the lives of other men; why should not our harangues be of a suitable brevity?
Gentlemen, I shall say but one word in favour of my excellent friend,--of mine, say I?
ay, of mine, of yours.

He is a friend to all of us! A prime minister is not more useful to his followers and more burdensome to the public than I am proud to say is--Paul Lovett.
[Loud plaudits.] What I shall urge in his favour is simply this: the man whom opposite parties unite in praising must have supereminent merit.

Of all your companions, gentlemen, Paul Lovett is the only man who to that merit can advance a claim.