The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-01 00:00:00

THI4I SUN, LONDON SATURDAY,... JANUARY 1, 1842.

should premise are all enjoying themselves at
one of their hebdomadal meetings, and cracking
their offensive jokes on each other:—
This ended, Dapper drew Roughshod away from the
table, and offered to lay him a wager that he 'would
make Addlepate repeat the words,,' I wish you wouldn't
move my glass," two-and-thirty times within the hour."
The wager was accepted, and all of us (with the ex-
ception of the poor helpless victim and his Butt. col-
league) were quietly informed of it. Dapper resumed
his seat, and drawing Addlepate's glass a little away from
him, said—

" And how are you by this time, Wiseacre ?"
" I wish you wouldn't move my glass," said the victim.
" I don't," said the wit, again removing it.
" But you do," said the other, drawing it back again ;
" and I wish you wouldn't move my glass."
After a short interval, the experiment was repeated by
Dapper, and was met, in precisely the same manner and
with precisely the same words, by Addlcpate. Suffice it
to say that the wager was won easily in 49 minutes.
This excellent jest was received with loud laughter
and great applause. For my own part, having wit-
nessed its performance on the four previous evenings of
my attendance at the '• School" (that is to say, on every
evening since I have had the honour of belonging to it),
I must•confess, that though it had not become posi-
tively tiresome, I was less charmed by it than upon the
first two or three occasions ; and, unless it be one of the
standing and chartered jests of the society, I shall pro-
pose that its performance be limited to every second
meeting, unless a new member chance to be present for
the first time, in which case it will be indispensable to
his perfect knowledge of the merits of the " School for
Horse-play."
After this there commenced a brief silence, which
was occupied by Dapper and Roughshod in exchanging
winks and glances with each other. It was sufficiently
intelligible that an entertaining attack upon the new
member was the object.
" Mr.—Mr.--- I beg your pardon, but I really forget
your name," said Roughshod, addi•essing Mr. Courtly.
" Courtly, sir," replied the latter.
" Courtly, with an o ?" inquired the wit ; at the same
time, by sundry nods and winks, preparing the initiated
for one of his brilliant sallies.

" Exactly so, sir," replied Courtly.
" Why, then," continued the illustrious Horse-player,
" as we all in this society give nicknames to one another,
we shall call you Squintly, with an eye. Do ycni take?"
At this joke the applause was unbounded : even the
poor Butts seemed to appreciate it, for they laughed
louder than the rest of the company.
" Pray, Gentlemen, am I a bona fide member of your
School,' not having paid my admission-fee 2" inquired
Courtly.
Being answered in the negative, he asked what was
the amount of the fee.

" Only ten shillings," briskly replied the attorney's
clerk ; " which is sixpence less than all the profits you
seem likely ever to make by your profession—the fee for
one half-guinea motion."
Mr. Courtly rose, drew forth his purse, and threw tett
shillings down upon the table ; observing with a grave
look, that he considered the fee to be exorbitant—
monstrous.

" You are now regularly admitted, though merely as
a Butt," said Roughshod ; " and, as you will remain so
till you have proved yourself worthy of promotion
by saying as good a thing as the worst you have heard
to-night, you may as well go to sleep for the next twelve-
month at least."
This, of course, was greatly applauded.