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— 142 —
the minc'd pies, the plumb-porridge, the capons, turkeys, geese, and plumb-puddings, were all brought upon the board; and all those who had sharp stomacks and sharp knives, eat heartily and were welcome, which gave rise to the proverb, Merry in the hall, where beards wag all. There were then turnspits employed, who, by the time dinner was over, would look as black and as greasy as a Welsh porridge-pot, but the jacks have since turned them all out of doors. The geese, who used to be fatted for the honest neighbours, have been of late sent to London, and the quills made into pens, to convey away the landlord's estate; the sheep are drove away, to raise money to answer the loss at a game at dice or cards, and their skins made into parchment for deeds and indentures; nay, even the poor innocent bee, who was used to pay its tribute to the lord once a year at least in good metheglin, for the entertainment of the guests, and its wax converted into beneficial plaisters for sick neighbours, is now used for the sealing of deeds to his disadvantage." He adds, however, H the spirit of hospitality has not quite forsaken us; several of the gentry are gone down to their respective seats in the country, in order to keep their Christmas in the old way, and entertain their tenants and tradesfolks as their ancestors used to do; and I wish them a merry Christmas accordingly."
He gives a ridiculous example of the influence of the squire in former times; that if he asked a neighbour what it was o'clock, the answer would be with a low scrape, " It is what your worship pleases." Dr. Arbuthnot, however, is reported to have given a similar answer to Queen Anne, " Whatever time it pleases your majesty."
Among the amusements mentioned are mumming or masquerading, when the squire's wardrobe was ransacked for |
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