Debauched Sloth

HMS Surprise is perhaps the most beloved of that dearly beloved series of novels by Patrick O'Brian, featuring the characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. HMS Surprisehas the lot - the introduction of the lovely Surprise as a character in her own right, the dynamics of the Aubrey-Maturin relationship, torture, abandoned love, battles, vampires and the debauched sloth:

'In this bucket,' said Stephen, walking into the cabin, 'in this small half-bucket, now, I have the population of Dublin, London, and Paris combined: these animalculae-- what is the matter with the sloth?' It was curled on Jack's knee, breathing heavily: its bowl and Jack's glass stood empty on the table. Stephen picked it up, peered into its affable bleary face, shook it, and hung it upon its rope. It seized hold with one fore and one hind foot, letting the others dangle limp, and went to sleep.

Stephen looked sharply round, saw the decanter, smelt to the sloth, and cried, 'Jack, you have debauched my sloth.'

So here we are, peering with the blear of the sloth, imbibing more gin than is seemly, practicing a studied smear on the couch.