But enough of this.
Before the union, old Topertoe was master of three votes--that is, he sat himself for the county, and returned members for two boroughs.

He was known by the sobriquet of Pater Noster Tom--not from any disposition to devotion; but because, whether in parliament, on the hustings, or, indeed, anywhere else, he never made a speech longer than the Lord's Prayer.

And yet, short as it was, it generally puzzled the shrewdest and most sagacious of his audience to understand it.

Still, though not without his faults, he was by no means a bad landlord, as landlords went.

'Tis true he was fond of his wine and of his wench--as a proof of which, it was well known that he seldom or ever went to,bed with less than four or five bottles under his belt; and as touching the latter, that he had two agents in pay to cater for his passions.