| Citation |
AWM.726.003
12-19 May 1726:21 (334)
London, February 3. Yesterday there were two very
magnificent entertainments, the one at the Hall of the Inner
Temple, and the other at the Hall of Lincoln's Inn. . . [11
lines listing attendees.] At night there were balls at both
places. The Prince and Princess, with several persons of
the first rank came to that at Lincoln's Inn Hall: As did
also several of the nobility and quality to that at the
Inner Temple. This entertainment being said to be done in
imitation of the old custom of revelling, we have thought it
proper to quote Mr. Dugdale on that subject, viz.
Mr. Dugdale, in his ORIGINES JURIDICIALES, gives this
account of the ancient revels in the Inns of Court, viz.
'And that nothing might be wanting for the encouragement of
the excellent study of the law, they have very antiently had
dancings for their recreations and delight, commonly call'd
revels, allowed at certain seasons, and that by special
Order of the Society, as appeareth in 9 Hen. VI. viz. that
there should be four revels that year and no more; one at
the feast of Alhallown, another at the feast of St.
Erkenwald, the third at the feast of the Purification, and
the fourth on Mid-Summer-Day. One person yearly elected of
the society being made choice of for director in those
pastimes, called the Master of the Revels: Which sports
were long before that time used; as may appear by an order
in their publick council made upon Alhallown Day, 8 Eliz.
That the musicians at the ancient and solemn revels (for so
they were called) shou'd have their stipend encreas'd, for
their service on the two principals feasts, Alhallown-tide
and Candlemas: that is to say, where they were wont to have
their service done, for Alhallown-Even, Alhallown-Day at
Noon, and Alhallown-Day at night, 3 s. 4 d. that henceforth
they should have for their said service at that time, 6 s. 8
d. and the like sum at Candlemas, having had but 3 s. 4 d.
before.
Nor were these exercises of dancing meerly permitted, but
thought very necessary, as it seems) and much conducting to
making of gentlemen more fit for their books at other times:
For by an order made 6th of February, 7. Jac. it appears,
that the under barristers were by decimation put out of
Commons, for example sake, because the whole bar was
offended by not dancing on Candlemas Day preceding,
according to the ancient Order of the Society, when the
judges were present; with this, that if the like fault
committed, afterwards, they should be fined or disbarred.
|