Punch or The London charivari: Punch or The London charivari (2.1842)

214

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVART

PUNCH'S ANCIENT COSTUMES.

THE BAKED TATUR MAN OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

The fourteenth century is perhaps the most remarkable of all the
centuries that have hitherto tumbled from the lap of Time ; and its
peculiar feature was probably the variety and beauty, the richness
and brilliancy, the gracefulness, the warmth, the quality—in a word,
the cut of its costume. Upon undertaking the difficult task of illus-
trating the habiliments of that eventful period, we applied to the
British Museum, where we were received with the greatest courtesy.
Having gained the reading-room, we put ourselves at once in direct
communication with one of the attendants, an intelligent individual,
who, upon our asking for any old black-letter volume that might be
near at hand, significantly pointed to the six-and-twenty unliftable
folios which go by the felicitous and facetious name of—The Catalogue.

Having spent several hours unsuccessfully, but no doubt most
profitably, in exploring that rich mine of literary titles, we thought
of applying to the trustees of the Bodleian Library for permission to
excavate their musty and dusty, but of course invaluable, treasures ;
but we eventually changed our minds, and resolved on drawing upon
other sources.

The Baked Tatur Man of the fourteenth century is an accurate
copy of a pen-and-ink sketch from an illuminated missile—or missal,
as it is sometimes affectedly called—which was thrown at the head
of the present Earl of Mansfield, who was then a boy at Westminster.
How it came into the possession of its present owner is a question
involving so much antiquarian learning and patient research, that we
shall not now go into it.

The above illustration brings to light the two important facts—1st,
that taturs (we adhere to the black-letter authorities in writing the
word)—that taturs were baked as early as thefourteenth century; and,
2ndly, that they were, at that remote period, an integral and acknow-
ledged branch of the commerce of the country. The introduction of
potatoes to England is generally, and we think erroneously, attri-
buted to Sir Walter Raleigh—or Rally, as he is sometimes called,

from his supposed propensity to quizzing; but we think we have got
a leaf of an old parchment table-book somewhere, that gives quite
another version of this old and incredible story. Raleigh, it is true,
entered England (after his celebrated excursion a few miles beyond
the Downs, which was then called " going round the world") in
company with a distinguished Irishman of the name of Murphy,
whom he probably introduced to his own circle ; and this has ludi-
crously been perverted into a story that Raleigh first introduced the
Potato—meaning the Murphy—into this country.

The costume of the Baked Tatur Man is, in the highest degree,
characteristic of the period. It is loose, like the morality of the
age ; and flowing, like the verse of the great poets who ennobled it.
From the short dumpy features of the face, we should say that the
Saxons were the first who took up taturs and baked them, with an
eye to trade ; but Gutlum, or Guzzleum the Goth, is known to have
sent out emissaries by night, disguised as tatur-men, who, under the
shadow of their cans, were enabled to watch the movements of the
enemy. It will be seen that the Baked Tatur Man of the fourteenth
is evidently the ancestor of the Baked Tatur Man of the nineteenth
century. The same indifference to the public gaze, and watchful
interest in the state of the public appetite are powerfully charac-
teristic of both ; while there is a mixture of bluntness and bonhomie
in both, which the reader cannot fail to recognise. The following
legend on the subject of Potatoes is so pleasant and appropriate, that
we cannot help quoting it. Upon looking again at the legend, we
find it neither so pleasant nor appropriate as it at first appeared ;
and we, therefore, make no apology for omitting it.

FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.

exclusive, and not from " the morning post."

Monday.—Fancy fair at Greenwich, and fete champetre in the park.—
Public theatricals at Messrs. Johnson and Lee's Marquee, and soiree
dansanle at Alger's.—Grand procession of Tee-totallers, attended by the
Prime-Warden of the Worshipful Company of Ginger-pop Brewers, and the
Governor-and Company of the New River. (N.B. The turncocks appeared
in the dress of their order, with their keys of office).

Tuesday.—Grand excursion, and ball, to the Nore and back, in the
" Royal Tar."

A MAN OF WAR IN STAYS.

Wednesday.—Deaf Burke's matinee pugilistique at the " Bunch of
Fives," Windmill-street. No gentlemen were admitted without gloves.

Thursday.—Punch's weekly levee to his public supporters.—In the
evening, grand fancy dress ball at the mansion of His Serene Highness
Baron "Nathan, Kennington Cross. The whole of the magnificent suite of
rooms were thrown open, including the clock-closet on the stairs and the
supper-room on the first floor. N.B. Coffee, 2s.

Friday.—Grand concert at Dr. Johnson's Coffee-house. It was ru-
moured that the hospitable host would not avail himself of the services of
Persiani, Lablache, or Frezzolini; but Paddy Green and Herr Von Joel
were secured■

Saturday_Horticultural fete and flower-show in Covent Garden

Market, at five in the morning.—At night, a grand Hebrew quadrille
party at the Royal Standard, Shepherdess Fields. Ditto, at the Eagle

Tavern, City Road.

' J EXCLUSIVE.

Messrs Evans of Joy's and Rhodes of " The Coal-Hole," have com-
menced, for the season, their series of weekly dinners to their respective

supporters. .

The annual swimming-match, off Cremorne House, has been fixed for
the next five days, bv several ladies of high distinction.

The Cider-cellars will be thrown open every night during the week, at
one o'clock the next morning. . . , ,

The Promenade Concerts will be beard as usual m the principal tho-
roughfares.