Punch (16.1849)

MAbNE8j*« AND CVSTOMS OF 1' ENGLYSHE* IN* 1849- N° 16.

"Socy eTYE ". E N 1OV/N GE. fTSt LF E. at.a SCY R-EE •

Mr. Pips

Monday, June 18,1849. After a Dinner off Bubble and Squeak,
my Wife and I to my Lord Wilkinson's at Home, by Invitation;
though Heaven knows if ever I set Eyes on his Lordship in my Life,
or he on me; but do ascribe this Honour to having my Name put
down in the Court Guide, and am glad to find the Consequence and
Importance I have got thereby. I m my new Suit of Black and Silk
Neckerchief, with a Fringe at the Ends, and my Wife did wear her
Lace Dress over her pink Satin Slip, which was very handsome. Gave
our Card to a Lackey in yellow and crimson Livery, with a huge
Shoulderknot, who did shout out our Name, which, passing along a
Row of his Eellows lining the Stairs, was by the Time it reached the
Drawing-Room changed to Pippins—but no matter; for before I
could set it right, we were presented to my Lord and my Lady, who
professed themselves delighted to see us. So on with the Stream in the
Crowd ; for my Lord's Drawing-lloom as thronged as the Opera Pit En-
trance on a Thursday Night. Methought surely there was Something
worth seeing and hearing; but saw Nothing extraordinary beyond the
Multitude of Company, and divers Writers, Painters, and other Persons
of Note, elbowing their Way through the Press; nor heard anything
but Puffing and Gasping, and complaining of the terrible Heat. Several
Ladies tainting; and my Wife declaring she feared she should faint
too, which made me mad; for it is always the Way with Women at
Spectacles and Assemblies, and yet they needs must and will go to
tfiem. At some Distance before us, a Bustle and Stir, and in the
midst of it a Lackey with a Tray, whereon were Ices—the People
struggling for them; and I also strove to get one for my Wife, and

his Diary.

myself as well; but the Attempt vain, and we borne clear away
by the Current to the other side of the lloom ; and in the mean Time
all the Ice must have melted; for so Avere we very nearly. Some young
Beauties there, whom to have looked upon at my Ease, and they at theirs,
would have been a great Delight; but they in such Discomfort,
that it quite spoilt their Prettiness, which was pitiful. We met
Dr. Dabbes the great Chemist, with whom some pretty Discourse
concerning the Air of crowded Rooms, which he said do contain a Gas
called Carbonic Acid, and is poisonous, and we were now breathing so
much per Cent, of it, which did trouble me. To think what Delight
fashionable Polks can take in crowding together, to the Danger of
Health; a Set of People, for the most Part, Strangers both to them and
to one another ! Away early; for we could endure the Stifling no longer:
and good Lack, what a Relief to get into the open Air !_ My white Kid
Gloves soiled, cost me 3s. &d.,- but am thankful I carried with me my
Spring Hat, which do shut up ; and could not help chuckling a little,
to see how many others got their Hats crushed. Home in a Cab, and
on the Way bought a Lobster, whereunto my Wife would have me add a
Bottle of Stout, which did think a good Notion ; cost me together 3s. 6d.,
and the Cab 2s. &d. more, and then to Supper; mighty proud that I had
been invited by my Lord, though utterly tired with his Party, and so
with great Satisfaction, but much Weariness, to Bed._

Printed by William Bradbury, of No. 13, Upper Wobum Place, in the Parish of St. Pancras ; and
Frederick Mullett Evans, of No. 7, Church Row, Stoke NewinRton, both in the County of Middlesex,
Printers, at their Offlee in Lombard Street, in the Precinct o( Whitefriara, in the City of London,
and Published by them at No. 85, Fleet Street, in the Parish of St. Bride, in the City of Londoa.
—Satubbat, June 23rd, ]849.