Tom Christopher. And here's with a
hip, hip, hooray! and hands all round!
_All_.--Hip, hip! Hurrah!
[_Tremendous cheering and clinking of glasses. Several are broken,
and the excitement consequently subsides_.
_Mr. Tom Christopher_.--Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you much.
For these your loving words. A third year man,
I came upon you fresh from nowhere;
This in itself a warranty for cold
And hard suspicion; but you received
Me with some warmth, and made me one of you,
Chaffed me, and sat on me, and lent me books.
And offered pipes, and made inquiries kind
About my sisters; and Time, who takes
Men kindly by the hand, made us warm friends,
And knit us in a love all brotherly.
_Many Voices_.--Yes, brothers! brothers! we are brothers all!
_A Voice_.--And sisters!
_Mr. Tom_.--I would say sisters too, but that I fear
My lady guests would think I did presume;
But yet I know, and knowing it am proud,
That most men here to-night would welcome all
The sweet girl-graduates that would fill the list
Did but the College Council set aside
A foolish prejudice, and let them in.
And now, I know a girl who long has worked
To pass the exams, take the proud degree
I hold to-day, and yet her petticoat
Forbade.
_Several Voices_.--Name! Name! A toast! A toast!
_Mr.
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