DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0059
HENRY WELBY, ESQ.
45
fish or flesh; his chief food was oat-meal gruel; now and
then, in summer, he had a sallad of some choice cool herbs;
and for dainties, when he would feast himself, on a high
day, he would eat the yolk of a hen’s egg, but no part of
the white. What bread he ate, he cut out of the middle of
the loaf, but the crust he never tasted. His constant drink
was four shilling beer, and no other, for he never tasted
wine or spirits. He now and then took some red cow’s
milk, which his maid, Elizabeth, fetched him out of the
fields, hot from the cow. Nevertheless, he kept a bounti-
ful table for his servants, had sufficient entertainment for
any stranger or tenant, who had occasion of business at his
house. Every book that was printed, was bought for him,
and conveyed to him; but such as related to controversy,
he always laid aside, and never read.
Jn Christmas holiday’s, at Easter, and other festivals, he
had great cheer provided, with all the dishes in season,
served into his own chamber, together with a large quantity
of wine, which was brought in by his maid. After giving
thanks to God for his benefits, he used to pin a clean nap-
kin before him, and putting on a pair of white Holland
sleeves, which reached to his elbows, cutting up dish after
dish, in order, he would send one to one poor neighbour,
the next to another, whether it was brawn, beef, capon,
goose, &c. till he had left the table quite empty; when,
giving thanks again, he laid by his linen, and ordered the
cloth to be taken away. This formality he practised, both
dinner and supper, on those days, without tasting one mor-
sel of any thing whatsoever.
When any persons clamoured impudently at his gate, they
were not, on that account, immediately relieved; but when,
from his private chamber, which had a prospect into the
street, he perceived any sick, infirm, or lame, he presently
sent after them, to comfort, cherish, and strengthen them,
45
fish or flesh; his chief food was oat-meal gruel; now and
then, in summer, he had a sallad of some choice cool herbs;
and for dainties, when he would feast himself, on a high
day, he would eat the yolk of a hen’s egg, but no part of
the white. What bread he ate, he cut out of the middle of
the loaf, but the crust he never tasted. His constant drink
was four shilling beer, and no other, for he never tasted
wine or spirits. He now and then took some red cow’s
milk, which his maid, Elizabeth, fetched him out of the
fields, hot from the cow. Nevertheless, he kept a bounti-
ful table for his servants, had sufficient entertainment for
any stranger or tenant, who had occasion of business at his
house. Every book that was printed, was bought for him,
and conveyed to him; but such as related to controversy,
he always laid aside, and never read.
Jn Christmas holiday’s, at Easter, and other festivals, he
had great cheer provided, with all the dishes in season,
served into his own chamber, together with a large quantity
of wine, which was brought in by his maid. After giving
thanks to God for his benefits, he used to pin a clean nap-
kin before him, and putting on a pair of white Holland
sleeves, which reached to his elbows, cutting up dish after
dish, in order, he would send one to one poor neighbour,
the next to another, whether it was brawn, beef, capon,
goose, &c. till he had left the table quite empty; when,
giving thanks again, he laid by his linen, and ordered the
cloth to be taken away. This formality he practised, both
dinner and supper, on those days, without tasting one mor-
sel of any thing whatsoever.
When any persons clamoured impudently at his gate, they
were not, on that account, immediately relieved; but when,
from his private chamber, which had a prospect into the
street, he perceived any sick, infirm, or lame, he presently
sent after them, to comfort, cherish, and strengthen them,