Page:Headlong Hall - Peacock (1816).djvu/13

namely, men of taste and philosophers: but, being assured by a learned Professor that there were no such things in the University, he proceeded to London, where, after beating up in several booksellers' shops, theatres, exhibition-rooms, and other resorts of literature and taste, he formed as extensive an acquaintance with philosophers and dilettanti as his utmost ambition could desire; and it now became his chief wish to have them all together in Headlong Hall, arguing, over his old Port and Burgundy, the various knotty points which had puzzled his pericranium. He had, therefore, sent them invitations in due form to pass their Christmas at Headlong Hall; which invitations the extensive fame of his kitchen-fire had induced the greater part of them to accept; and four of the chosen guests had, from different parts of the metropolis,