Chapter C: G. E. P

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THE BELL-SAVAGE INN

On Ludgate-hill, has, for more than a century, since its name was mentioned by Addison in the _Spectator_, occasioned a great variety of conjectures. These conjectures, however, all appear to have been erroneous, as the inn took the addition to its name from its having belonged to, or been kept by, a person of the name of _Savage_. The sign originally appears to have been a bell hung within a hoop, a common mode of representation in former times. This origin has been proved by a grant in the reign of Henry VI. in which John French, gentleman of London, gives to Joan French, widow, his mother, "all that tenement or inn called Savage's Inn, otherwise called the Bell on the Hoop." In the original "vocat" Savagesynne, alias vocat "Le Belle on the Hope." Perhaps the phrase "Cock-a-Hoop," may be derived from the sign of that bird standing on a hoop, thus most conspicuously displaying himself, as we find that sign or rather design existed in the reign above mentioned.

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PARISH FEASTING.

A dinner always accompanies meetings on public occasions; feasting was formerly attached in like manner to chantries, anniversaries, &c.; and, as it appears in part of the curious items in the parish books of Darlington, clergymen officiated for a donation of wine. It appears, too, that both ministers and parishioners were saddled with charitable aids to itinerants of various kinds; that noblemen granted passes in the manner of briefs; and that it was deemed right and proper for even churchwardens and overseers to patronize knowledge. Accordingly we have,

"1630. To Mr. Goodwine, a distressed scholer, 2s. 6d."

"1631. Given to a poor scholler, 12d.--Given to Mary Rigby, of Hauret West, in Pembrokeshire, in Wales, who had the Earle of Pembroke's passe.... To an Irish gentleman that had fouer children, and had Earl Marshall's passe, 12d."

"1635. To a souldier which came to the church on a Sunday, 6d."

"1639. For Mr. Thompson, that preached the forenoone and afternoone, for a quart of sack, 14d."

"1650. For six quartes of sacke to the ministre that preached, when we had not a ministere, 9s."

It is to be observed that this was in the _puritanical era_.

"1653. For a primer for a poore boy, 4d."

"1666. For one quarte of sacke, bestowed on Mr. Jellet, when he preached, 2s. 4d."

"1684. To the parson's order, given to a man both deaf and dumb, being sent from minister to minister to London, 6d.--To Mr. Bell, with a letter from London with the names of the Royal Family, 6d."

This is a curious item; for it shows that the Mercuries, diurnals, and intelligencers of the day, were not deemed sufficient for satisfactorily advertising public events.

"1688. To the ringers on Thanksgiving Day, for the young Prince, in money, ale, and coals, 7s. 4d."

This must have been for the birth of the Pretender, of warming-pan celebrity.

"1691. For a pint of brandy, when Mr. George Bell preached here, 1s. 4d.--When the Dean of Durham preached here, spent in a treat with him, 3s. 6d.--For a stranger that preacht, a dozen of ale, 1s."

Thus it plainly appears that church-wardens had a feast jointly with the minister at the parish expense, at least whenever a stranger preached.

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THE GATHERER

"A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."

SHAKSPEAKE.

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STATIONERY LETTER.

( _For the Mirror_.)

TO MR. ----, STATIONER, HOLBORN.

SIR,--Sometime ago I wrote to you to send me a _ream_ of _foolscap_,
which I begged might be sent without delay, as it was for the purpose of
writing out my Christmas bills. I think you must have forgotten me; and
if I do not have the _paper_ soon, I may wear a _fool's-cap_ on account
of not having my bills out in time. Mr. ----, who, in your absence, must
sustain the greatest weight of business, and is, as I may say, the
_Atlas_ of your house, was the person I chiefly depended on. As for
Mr. ----, one of your household, he dresses in _royal purple_, and being
but in a _medium_ way between sickness and health, was drinking
_imperial_ when I saw him, and therefore did not in-_quire_ about the
business; nor did I choose to come _cap_ in _hand_ to a gentleman that
seemed as stately as an _elephant_, though to my thinking he is a
_bundle_ of conceit, all _outside_ show; in short, a piece of
_lumberhand_, on whom I would not _waste paper_ to write him a _note_.

My journeyman, who is but a _demy_ sort of a chap, will make but a
_small hand_ of the bills, and I shall go to _pott_. You also will be a
sufferer, if you _post_-pone sending my _paper_, for you shall have
neither _plate paper_,[1] nor a _single crown_, no, nor a _cartridge_ of
halfpence from me this half year, unless you play your _cards_ better. I
have more bills to write out than a _bag cap_, made of the largest
_grand eagle_ you have in your warehouse, could contain; so that I shall
look as _blue_ as your _sugar_-paper, and bestow on you to boot some
very ugly prayers, not in _single hand_, but by _thick_ and _thin
couples_, that will be a _fine copy_ for my young man to take example by,
if you disappoint.

Your humble servant, J. J.

[1] Bank notes.

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RUSTIC SIMPLICITY.

A village pastor was examining his parishioners in their Catechism. The first question in the Heidelberg Catechism is this: "What is thy only consolation in life and in death?" A young girl, to whom the pastor put this question, laughed, and would not answer. The priest insisted. "Well, then," said she, at length, "if I must tell you, it is the young shoemaker, who lives in the Rue Agneaux."

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TALL PEOPLE.

The king of France, being at Calais, sent over an embassador, a verie tall person, upon no other errand but a complement to the king of England. At his audience he appeared in such a light garb, that afterwards the king ask'd Lord-keeper Bacon "what he thought of the French embassador?" He answer'd, "That he was a verie proper man."--"I," his majestie replied, "but what think you of his head-piece? is he a proper man for the office, of an embassador?"--"Sir," returned he, "it appears too often, _that tall men are like high houses of four or five stories, wherein commonlie the upper-most room is worst-furnished_."

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The following anecdote is perfectly indicative of that dry humour which forms what Oxonians call a _cool hand_:--When Mr. Gurney, afterwards rector of Edgefield, in Norfolk, held a fellowship of Bene't, the master had a desire to get possession of the fellows' garden for himself. The rest of the fellows, resigned their keys, but Gurney resisted both his threats and entreaties, and refused to part with his key. "The other fellows," said the master, "have delivered up their keys."--"Then, master," said Gurney, "pray keep them, and you and I will keep all the other fellows out."--"Sir," continued the master, "am not I your master?"--"Granted," said Gurney, "but am I not your fellow?"

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Louis XIV. was such a gourmand, that he would eat at a sitting four platesful of different soups, a whole pheasant, a partridge, a plateful of salad, mutton hashed with garlick, two good sized slices of ham, a dish of pastry, and, afterwards, fruit and sweetmeats. The descendant Bourbons are slandered for having appetites of considerable action; but this appears to have been one of a four or five man power.

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A FLASH CARD.