Mr. S began his usual encomium on his good stuff, the " best in England" The Burton glasses were put upon the table and filled. Now I must drink the host's health, which I positively declined, although I had never tasted Burton ale in my life, yet, was fearful it might be too strong. Mr. S, with much vehemence assured me that it was smooth as oil. I gave way again, and put the glass to my lips, and sure enough it was smooth as oil, for half the liquid went down my throat before I was aware of it. And now I had reached the climax, for, be it known to all Johnny Raw's, that Burton ale is little inferior to brandy, especially if it is old.
Now I was completely intoxicated, yet my senses were not in the least impaired. I was aware of my condition, and how I came so, and here was my friend rubbing his hand over his vest buttons, and looking towards me and saying, "Oh! how nice I feel." But we had not finished yet. Next came the bottle of brandy, and now wTe must drink the health of the new king, William IV., which I again positively declined. I was sick as death, besides feeling very faint. The door was only a short distance on my left, but how to reach it puzzled me. Everything appeared to be flying round topsy-turvy, so I waited " till the door came round, and then made a spring, and luckily caught the knob, and reached the outside.
The cool breeze in some measure restored me. Mr. S came out, insisting on my drinking King William's health. I now began to remonstrate by telling him that I was already intoxicated, and positively refused to take a drop of anything more within my lips. My friend, Mr. Gray, came out and began urging me to try a little brandy. I begged him to take me away from this place, which he said he would do, when he had taken leave of Mr. S. I managed to get into the chaise, and we drove away from that detestable brewery, and on our way to his house, he stopped at his sister's. As it was about tea time, we were invited to join them.
I had an impression that a cup of tea would make me feel better. We were soon seated round the table and the servant handed me a cup of tea, and in her other hand she held a black earthern pitcher, and was about pouring something into my cup. I asked her what she had there. " Rum, sir" said she, " His very good in tea!" " Well, please take it away from me." The very smell of the rum took away my appetite. After remaining there a short time, we went to his house. I requested Mrs. Gray to show me where I could lie down. She gave me an excellent bed, in a handsomely furnished chamber.
At midnight I awoke in a high fever and parched with thirst. I had forgotten where the door was, and knew not how I should obtain water. It was quite dark, and in fumbling round, came across the washstand, and fortunately there was water in the pitcher. Whether it was clean I could not ascertain, but was willing to run the risk. I drank a hearty draught, and went to bed again; but felt very faint. I turned out at daylight, asked the girl in the kitchen to give me a cup of warm tea, which she very kindly did, adding to it a piece of toast. I felt so anxious to get away from St. Helens that as soon as I had taken my tea, requested the girl to give my respects to Mr. and Mrs.
Gray, and say to them that I wished to catch the Manchester coach for Liverpool, and that was the reason why I started so early. In order to meet the coach, I had to cross a moor some two or three miles wide, but had not left the house more than twenty minutes before it began to rain most furiously. I had neither umbrella nor overcoat, my shoes were quite thin, and what was worse than all, was quite unwell from the effects of yesterday. When I reached the Manchester coach office there was not room for another passenger until the afternoon. Here I was in a dilemma; wet through, sick, and twelve miles from Liverpool. I began to soliloquize.
"Well, what is to be done now? Among strangers, wet through, and cold. All at once, as though moved by a sudden impulse, I started from the coach office, the rain still pouring, and walked off four miles an hour, until I had reached within four miles of Liverpool. I was weary and hungry, and stepped aside from the road into a cottage where there was a woman and a little child. I sat down a few moments, and found I was growing stiff. The good woman had nothing to offer me to eat, so I picked myself up again and finished my journey by two o'clock, P. M., and strange as it may appear, when I entered my boarding-house, had completely recovered my strength and felt as well as I ever did in my life, although I had been soaked in the rain since five o'clock in the morning, and had eaten nothing but a little toast.