The voracity of the former was astonishing, nor was that of the latter much less; and when the dishes were removed and the tables cleared for their compotations, the faces of both gentlemen appeared as if they were about to explode.

The table was now supplied with every variety of liquor, and the conversation began to assume that convivial tone peculiar to such assemblies.

The little doctor was placed between Manifold and the Pythagorean, who, by the way, was exceedingly short-sighted; and on the other side of him sat Parson Topertoe, who seemed to feel something like a reprieve from his gout.

When the liquor was placed on the table, after dinner, the Pythagorean got to his feet, filled a large glass of water, and taking a gulp of it, leaving it about half full, he proceeded as follows: "Gentlemen: considering the state of morals in our unfortunate country, arising as it does from the use of intoxicating liquors and the flesh of animals, I feel myself called upon to impress upon the consciences of this respectable auditory the necessity of studying the admirable principles of the great philosopher whose simplicity of life in food and drink I humbly endeavor to imitate.

Modern society, my friends, is all wrong, and, of course, is proceeding upon an erroneous and pernicious system--that of eating the flesh of animals and indulging in the use, or rather the abuse, of liquors, that heat the blood and intoxicate the brain into the indulgence of passion and the commission of crime." Here the little doctor threw a glass of usquebaugh--now called whiskey--into the half-emptied cup which stood before Cooke.
"A vegetable diet, gentlemen, is that which was appointed for us by Providence, and water like this our drink.