" Here
a groan was uttered by the admirers of the epic poet, who, taking
a pinch of snuff with great composure, "When a man grows scurrilous,"
said he, "I take it for an undoubted proof of his overthrow."--"If that
be the case," cried the other, "you yourself must be the vanquished
party, for you were the first that was driven to personal abuse."--"I
appeal," answered the bard, "to those who can distinguish. Gentlemen,
your judgment."
This reference produced a universal clamour, and the whole college
was involved in confusion. Every man entered into dispute with his
neighbour on the merits of this cause. The chairman interposed his
authority in vain; the noise grew louder and louder; the disputants
waxed warm; the epithets of blockhead, fool, and scoundrel, were
bandied about. Peregrine enjoyed the uproar, and, leaping upon the
table, sounded the charge to battle, which was immediately commenced
in ten different duels. The lights were extinguished; the combatants
thrashed one another without distinction; the mischievous Pickle
distributed sundry random blows in the dark, and the people below,
being alarmed with the sound of application, the overturning of
chairs, and the outcries of those who were engaged, came up-stairs
in a body with lights to reconnoitre, and, if possible, quell this
hideous tumult.
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