In the midst of this elevation, which commonly unlocks the most
hidden sentiment, and dispels every consideration of caution and
constraint, one of the entertainers, being more intoxicated than his
fellows, proposed a toast, to which Peregrine, with some warmth,
excepted as an unmannerly insult. The other maintained his
proposition with indecent heat; and the dispute beginning to grow
very serious, the company interposed, and gave judgment against their
friend, who was so keenly reproached and rebuked for his impolite
behaviour, that he retired in high dudgeon, threatening to relinquish
their society, and branding them with the appellation apostates from
the common cause. Mortified at the behaviour of their companion,
those that remained were earnest in their apologies to their guests,
whom they besought to forgive his intemperance, assuring them with
great confidence that he would, upon the recovery of his reflection,
wait upon them in person, and ask pardon for the umbrage he had
given. Pickle was satisfied with their remonstrances, resumed his
good humour, and the night being pretty far advanced resisted all
their importunities with which he was entreated to see another
bottle go round, and was escorted to his own lodgings more than
half-seas over.
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