TEN MINUTES FOR BREAKFAST.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2563, 26 June 1882, Page 3

TEN MINUTES FOR BREAKFAST.

Did you never hear of the the trick piavei upon a deputation from the Synod of Oleismaclaver, while on their way to the annual meeting of the General Assembly ? The brethren had started by coach at as early hour, and had to travel some twenty miles before they reached the inn where breakfast was prepared for them. The keen air of oar northern hills sharpens the appetite; auS when the brethren drove up to the inn they were almost famished with hunger. “ Now, gentlemen, just ten minutes for breakfast,” said the coachman, as he entered the landlady’s snug parlour to have his own. Tea minutes ! The time was short, eo they must make the most of it. They rushed into the room where breakfast was spread, and there, basking his ample person before the fire, stood a portly gentleman, dreised somewhat like a dignitary of the Church of England. Their appetite was keener than their curiosity, sa they scarcely looked at the stranger, cut concentrated all their attention on the viaudo. Half way in the air, before the morsel had reached their lips, their hands were arrested by a sudden say of “ Stop ! ” It was the supposed Dean of Bipon, “ Good Heavens, gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “ have yon eo far forgotten your sacred profession ea to partake of food without invoking a blessing ? " Tbebrethren looked like schoolboys de'ected -a some flagrant fault; but before they had time to remonstrate or explain, the earn*) voice exclaimed, in a tone which enforced obedience: “Let us pray.” They instinctively rprang to their feet ana assumed on attitude of decorous devotion, wuiio the stranger offered up a prayer which, they themselves admitted, was superior in unction and expression to those of Dr. Drawlitout himself. He had only one fault —he did r.ot know when to stop. The miuu'es rolled rapidly away, but the stream of fervent supplication flowed on without a hxeai. They had a terrible struggle, the brethren had, as they closed one eye in devotion and ogled the savoury viands with the other ; but whenever a hand approached the table, it drew bask before the stern glance of the stranger, which seemed to comprehend them all. The sufferings of Tantalus were nothing to the sufferings of the deputation from (he Synod of Oleismaolaver ; but oil thinga must come to an end. “ Time is up, gentlemen,” said the coachman, opening the door, unrl wiping his mouth with the air of & man who has enjoyed his breakfast. The appetrsref. of the coachman and the sound of his jamiliai voice broke the spell; but there was no lime to be lost; the horses were shaking tl.ci: heads and pawing the ground in their ir,patienoe to start; eo they had to take their seats, and to turn breakfast and dinner into one. “Was that the Biehop of D ?” said one of the fi aaished brethren. “That the Bishop of D ! ” said the coachman, I contemptuously ; “ why, that wap Lord P , the maddest wag in ail the kingdom.’*