Punch: Punch (17.1849)

J^awe-ks- AND-CvsTOMS-OF-/'EN6LYSHE.|N'I84-9' N° 37

^P^eegte-of t 5th of November StoWYKGE>'a 'G-VYs'

Mr. Pips his Diary-

Monday, November 5, 1849.—- (Guy Fawkes' Day). At Breakfast
this Morning off a new-laid Egg, cost me id. but clieap for the Time of
Year, did hear a shrill Hallooing in the Street, which my Wife, looking
out of Window, told me was made by the Boys, going by with their Guy
Fawkes. I did then call to Mind that 1 his was Guy Fawkes his
Day; and did in Haste swallow my Breakfast, and put on my Boots
and Over-Coat, and so out and about the Streets and Squares to see the
Sport, the Bells ringing for Church, and a Scarecrow of a Guy, borne
by Urchins on a Handbarrow, with Bough Musique at almost every
Turn and Corner. Mighty droll, Guy Fawkes his Effigies, with his
Fingers sticking out like Spikes, and his Feet all awry, his Body and
Limbs stuffed with Straw, a Mask for his Face, with a Pipe in the
Mouth, and a Lantern and Tinder-Box dangling from his Wrist, and on
his Head a Paper Cap, like an old Grenadier's, but a Cross on it, and
meant for the Pope his Crown. I did remember the Mirth it used to
be to behold Guy with his Company, borne by the Police in State to
the Station House, but they this Year mostly let alone, and more Guys,
and ragged Regiments of Boys shouting after them, than ever I think 1
did before see. The Varlets, as they went, repeating Doggrel Verses,
bidding to remember the Day, and asking whomsoever they met for
Money for a Bonfire to burn their Guy, and did beg of me ; but I gave
them none, not willing to fling my Money into the Fire. But Lack to
think of the Delight I do take in Guy Fawkes, and only because of
his ridiculous Figure, and recollecting how I loved to play with Fire-
works on this Day when a Boy; when I know what a Libel is the

Holyday on the Roman Catholiques, and the good Reason there
is, though the Doggrel say to the contrary, why Gunpowder Treason
should be forgot. But some I did note, who should have known
better, did give the Rogues Halfpence and encourage them in a Show
of Bigotry ; albeit the young Ragamuffins know not what it do mean,
and care only for the Fireworks and Frolick. From Westminster, by
the Back Ways and Streets to Fleet Street, Squibs and Crackers in the
Courts and Alleys fizzing and bouncing all the Way, and did in Fleet
Street dine at a Chop-house, cost me, with Beer and Punch, 2s. ; and so
to Tower Hill, where the Banging and Blazing of the Fireworks the
greatest of all; and the Roman Candles and Pin-wheels_mighty pretty;
but some letting off Guns and Pistols put me a little in Fear. Here
presently I did hear a Popping and Cracking behind me; _ which
was a Cracker piuned by some Scapegrace to my Coat-Tail, and
did make me to jump, and the Standers-by to laugh: which did
vex me to the Heart; and Mr. Gregory do say, served me right
for countenancing such Doings. But to see the Mob flinging Ser-
pents at each other, and- burning and singeing one another like
Devils, did much divert me, till a Squib_ whizzing past me did scorch
me in the Face. Truly Guy Fawkes his Day this Time was mighty
well kept, and Mr. Howlett do rejoice in its better Observance,
which he do tell me is a revival of Protestant Spirit; but I do
agree with Mr. Wagstafee that Protestancy is not a Doctrine of
Fireworks, and must own it were better to bury Guy Fawkes, and not
burn him any more.