Punch: Punch (17.1849)

102 PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

Mankek§-amd-CvST0K]S-of-7^ EINSLYSWD in,- M°. 26.

BLACKWALL- SHOWYNGE 7q RVBUCK- A-DlNYNCC-ofM W)?YT£:BAIT«

3

Mr, Pips

Saturday, August 18, 1849.—Comes Mb. Gollope, this being his
Birth-Day, to bid me to go dine with him and a Company of some Half-
dozen of our Acquaintance, off a Whitebait Dinner at Blackwall. So
we first to London Bridge, on Foot, walking for an Appetite, and
there took Water, and down the River in a Steam-Boat, with great
Pleasure, enjoying the Breeze, and the Yiew of the Shipping, and also
the Prospect of a good Dinner. Landed at the Pier, and as last as we
could to Lovegrove's, where our Table engaged in the large Room.
But good Lack! to see the Eulnes? of the Place, every Table almost
crowded with eager Eaters, and Heaps of Whitebait among them, and
they with open Mouths and Eyes shovelling Spoonful after Spoonful
into their Plates and thence thrusting them five or six at a Time into
their Chaps. Then, here and there, a fat Eellow, stopping, out of
Breath, to put down his Knife and Bork, and gulp a Goblet of iced
Punch, was mighty droll: also to hear others speaking with their
Mouths full. But Dinner coming, I cared not to look about me, there
being on Table some dozen different Dishes of Eish, whereof the Sight
did at first bewdder me, like the Doake\' between the Haystacks, not
knowing which to choose; and Mb. Gobblestone do lament that at a
Eeast with Plenty of good Things he never was abLe to eat his Eill of
every one. A Dish of Salmon with India-Pickle did please me mightily,
also some Eels, spitchcocked, and a stewed Carp, and ate heartily of

his Diary.

them with much relish; but did only nibble at the Rest by way of a
Taste, for I felt exceeding full, and methought I should have no
Stomach for the Whitebait. But Lack ! to see when it came, how my
Appetite returned, and I did fall to upon it. and drink iced Punch, and
then at the Whitebait again. Pretty, the little Slices of brown Bread
and Butter, they did bring us to eat it withal,, and truly, with a Squeeze
of Lemon and Cayenne Pepper, it is delicate Eating. After the
Whitebait plain, Whitebait devilled made us to eat the more, and
drink too, which we did in Champagne and Hock, pledging each other
with great Mirth. After the Eish comes a Course of Ducks, and a
Hauncii of Mutton, and divers made Dishes; and then Tarts and
Custards and Grouse ; and lastly, a Dessert, and I did partake of all,
as much as I had a Mind to, and after Dinner drank Port and Claret,
when much Joking and rare Stories, and very merry we were. Pretty
to look out of Window as we sat, at the Craft and the White Sails
in the Sunset on the River. Back in a Railway Carriage, shouting and
singing, aud in a Cab Home; where Db. Shabpe called to see my Wife
for Her Vapours. Pretty Discourse with him touching 1 he Epidemic, ,
Ue telling me that of all Things to bring it ou the likeliest was Excess in !
Eood and Drink, which did trouble me, and so with a Draught of Soda
and a Dose of Pills to Bed.