| Citation |
VGW(HU.768.142
17 Nov 1768:21 (913)
Friday night a jolly young tar gave a noble entertainment,
at the publick house in Holborn, which was opened to as many
as came. Good eating and drinking, appeared in as much
profusion as at other great entertainments, but the
singularity of this lay in the manner of serving up the
principal liquor (punch); 45 gallons of which filled a
curious mohogany coffin that our tar had provided for
himself, among the requisites for the intended voyage. The
coffin, or temporary punch bowl, was ornamented with brass
hinges, handles, and two locks, with the following
inscription on the lid:
This coffin is made
For a good hearty blade,
Who lov'd to carouse and be merry;
Old care he defies,
And will till he dies;
Then his friends may sing, hey down derry.
A display of such uncommon taste and decency promoted much
noisy mirth: many got Princely drunk at this joyful
banquet; and, to end the witty scene (like Bayes in the
Rehearsal) with something funeral, a watchman, who purtook
of the bounty, was found on Saturday morning in so sound a
sleep, as to give all reasonable expectation that he would
never awake again.
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