I suppose, however, that both they and their commander were spurred on by the active French." Presently the old church clerk made his appearance with a glass in one hand, and a brown jug of ale in the other.
"Here," said he, filling the glass, "is some of the real Llangollen ale.
I got it from the little inn, the Eagle, over the way, which was always celebrated for its ale.

They stared at me when I went in and asked for a pint of ale, as they knew that for twenty years I have drunk no liquor whatever, owing to the state of my stomach, which will not allow me to drink anything stronger than water and tea.

I told them, however, it was for a gentleman, a friend of mine, whom I wished to treat in honour of the fall of Sebastopol." I would fain have excused myself, but the old gentleman insisted on my drinking.
"Well," said I, taking the glass, "thank God that our gloomy forebodings are not likely to be realised.

Oes y byd i'r glod Frythoneg! May Britain's glory last as long as the world!" Then, looking for a moment at the ale, which was of a dark-brown colour, I put the glass to my lips and drank.
"Ah!" said the old church clerk, "I see you like it, for you have emptied the glass at a draught." "It is good ale," said I.
"Good," said the old gentleman rather hastily, "good; did you ever taste any so good in your life ?" "Why, as to that," said I, "I hardly know what to say; I have drunk some very good ale in my day.

However, I'll trouble you for another glass." "Oh ho, you will," said the old gentleman; "that's enough; if you did not think it first-rate, you would not ask for more.