| Citation |
NHG-P.767.013
13 Feb 1767:21,22 (541)
From a late London Chronicle. Anecdote.
Some time since a venerable old man, who had passed all the
offices in one of the chief towns in Holland, with honour
and reputation, and had gained great riches, without
reproach, had some tho'ts of retiring, for the rest of his
days to his country seat. In order to take leave of his
friends and acquaintance in a handsome manner, he invited
the young and old of both sexes (those of the best fashion
in the place) to an entertainment at his own house.
. . . [24 lines describing the first course, which was
simple in the extreme, and the more substantial but not
opulent second course]
After he had given them time to taste of the second course,
a third was served up by a maitre d'hotel in form, followed
by half a dozen powdered lacquies in gawdy liveries; the
most beautiful flowered damask was spread on a sumptuous
mahogany table; the richest plate, and more curious china,
adorned the side board, whilst a profusion of soups, olios,
tame and wild foul, fricasses, ragouts, in a word, all that
the art of a modern French cook could produce, ranged in a
well disposed judicious order, seemed to court the taste,
and renew the appetite of the whole company; to this were
added strong-bodied chateau mergen, generous burgundy,
sparkling champaign; in short a choice of the best wines
commerce can procure to a trading country; And that nothing
might be wanting that could please the senses, as soon as a
sumptuous desert was brought in, a melodious concert, of an
agreeable variety of instruments, was heard in the next
room; healths went round, mirth increased, and the old man,
seeing nothing but the departure of him, and of the gravest
of the company, was waited for to give a loose to joy and
pleasure, rose up, and made the following speech: 'Ladies
and gentlemen, I heartily thank you for this favour; it is
time for one of my age to withdraw; but I hope those who are
disposed for dancing, will accept of a ball which I have
ordered to be prepared for you. Before the fiddles strike
up, give me leave to make a short reflection on this
entertainment, which otherwise would appear whimsical, and
the effect of humour; it may serve to give you an idea of
our common wealth. By living after that penurious manner,
exhibited in the first course, our ancestors raised their
infant state, and acquired liberty, wealth & power. These
were preserved by our fathers, who lived in that handsome,
but plain way, you have seen in the second course; but if an
old man may be permitted, before he leaves you whom he
dearly loves, to speak his thoughts freely, I am indeed
afraid, that the extravagant plenty you have observed in the
last course, will, if we go on, deprive us of those
advantages our ancestors have earned by the sweat of their
brows, and that our fathers, by their industry and good
management, have transmitted to us. Young people, I advise
you to be merry this evening, but to think seriously to
morrow what I have been telling you to day. Good night.
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