seven o’clock
The latter alternative was preferable ; and Mr. Percy Noakes therefore proposed that the form of balloting should be dispensed with , and that every gentleman should merely be required to state whom he intended to bring . The proposal was acceded to ; the Tauntons and the Briggses were reinstated ; and the party was formed . The next Wednesday was fixed for the eventful day , and it was unanimously resolved that every member of the committee should wear a piece of blue sarsenet ribbon round his left arm . It appeared from the statement of Mr. Percy Noakes , that the boat belonged to the General Steam Navigation Company , and was then lying off the Custom-house ; and , as he proposed that the dinner and wines should be provided by an eminent city purveyor , it was arranged that Mr. Percy Noakes should be on board by seven o'clock to superintend the arrangements , and that the remaining members of the committee , together with the company generally , should be expected to join her by nine o'clock . More brandy-and-water was despatched ; several speeches were made by the different law students present ; thanks were voted to the chairman ; and the meeting separated . The weather had been beautiful up to this period , and beautiful it continued to be . Sunday passed over , and Mr. Percy Noakes became unusually fidgety -- rushing , constantly , to and from the Steam Packet Wharf , to the astonishment of the clerks , and the great emolument of the Holborn cabmen .