Peregrine, though he could not approve of their doctrine, resolved
to attach himself for some time to their company, because he
perceived ample subject for his ridicule in the characters of these
wrong-headed enthusiasts. It was a constant practice with them,
in their midnight consistories, to swallow such plentiful draughts
of inspiration, that their mysteries commonly ended like those of
the Bacchanalian orgia; and they were seldom capable of maintaining
that solemnity of decorum which, by the nature of their functions,
most of them were obliged to profess. Now, as Peregrine's satirical
disposition was never more gratified than when he had an opportunity
of exposing grave characters in ridiculous attitudes, he laid a
mischievous snare for his new confederates, which took effect in
this manner:--In one of their nocturnal deliberations, he promoted
such a spirit of good fellowship by the agreeable sallies of his wit,
which were purposely leveled against their political adversaries,
that by ten o'clock they were all ready to join in the most
extravagant proposal that could be made.
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