CHAPTER XX.

A LITERARY GAME.

The Three Associates--Their Characters--Discussion about Poets and Poetry--A Proposition to Paraphrase the Eighteenth Psalm--Osborne's Prejudice, and how to prove him--Benjamin reads Ralph's Piece as his own--The Success of the Ruse--Subsequent Interview of Benjamin and Ralph--Their Delight over the Result--The Exposure of Osborne at the next Meeting--His Mortification--Fate of Watson and Osborne-- Advantage of such Literary Clubs 196-203