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PercivalLdgh
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Darlington Memorial Litr
M A NNER S A N D CVSTO M S
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http://www.archive.org/details/mannerscustomsofOOdoyl
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to whicn be added some extracts from
Pips Kys Diary.
qwwbvto bv Percival Leig h
Publijbed by BRADBURT (3 EVANS, i i, />' tueru Street, '.
Printed by Bradbury & Evans, Whitefr,
YE CONTRIBUTOR HYS PREFACE.
SUPPOSE the great-grandfather of anybody could ftep down from his picture-frame and
ftalk abroad, his defcendant would be eager to hear his opinion of the world we live in
Moft of us would like to know what the men of the Part; would fay of the Prefent. If
fome old philofopher, for inftance Socrates, exchanging robes for modern clothes, left he ftiould
be followed by the boys and taken up by the police, could revifit this earth, walk our (beets,
fee our fights, behold the fcenes of our political and focial life, and, contemplating this buftling
age through the medium of his own quiet mind, fet down his obfervations refpccting us and our
ufages, he would write a work, no doubt, very interefting to her Majesty's fubjects.
It would anfwer the purpofe of a flcilful literary enchanter to " unfphere the fpirit of
Plato," or that of Pythagoras, Aristotle, or any other diftinguifhed fage of antiquity, and
fend it out on its rambles with a commillion to take, and report, its views of things in general.
But fuch necromancy would have ta(ked even the Warlock of the North, would puzzle the
YE CONTRIBUTOR HTS PREFACE.
wizard of any point of the compafs, and, it is probable, could be cleverly achieved by no adept
inferior to the ingenious Mr. Shakspeare.
However, there flourifhed in a fomewhat later day a philofopher, for fuch he was after his
fafhion, a virtuofo, antiquary, and F.R.S., whofe ghoft an inconfiderable perfon may perhaps
attempt to raife without being accufed of pretending to be too much of a conjuror. He appears
to have been a Peripatetic, at leaft until he could keep a coach, but on the fubjects of drefs,
dining, and fome others, his opinions favour ftrongly of Epicurifm. A little more than a
hundred and eighty years ago he employed his leifure in going about everywhere, peeping into
everything, feeing all that he could, and chronicling his experiences daily. In his Diary, which
happily has come down to our times, the hiftorical fads are highly valuable, the comments
moftly fenfible, the ftyle is very odd, and the autobiography extremely ludicrous. I have
adventured reverently to evoke this worfhipful gentleman, that, renaming his old vocation as
a journalift, he might comment on the "Manners and Cvftoms of ye Englyfhe in 1849,"
in the name of Mr. Pips. I hope his fhadow, if not his fpirit, may be recognifed in
the following pages.
PERCIVAL LEIGH.
Hammersmith,
December 12, 1849.
d.CvsTok.s of>)~NG1-ysheik| . 184-Q N° I
/VAT Ho Me", vt/pOLKA-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
An "At Home." Ye Polka.
\Wednefday, March lift, 1849.]
TO-NIGHT to an Evening Party with my Wife, to Sir Hilary Jinks's, whercunto we
had been bidden to come at 10 of the Clock; for Sir Hilary and her Ladyfhip have
taken to keeping rare Hours. Thereat was a goodly Company of about an hundred., and
the Women all very fine, my Wife being ill her laft Year's Gown, which I am tired of, and do hate
to fee. We did fall to dancing Quadrilles, wherein I made one, and had for my Partner a pretty
little black Damfel, whom after the Dance was ended, did hand to a Sofa, and thereon lit me by her
Side; but feeing my Wife looking hard at us, did prefently make my Bow, and fo away. Then
to look on while fome did dance the Polka, which did pleafe me not much, for had beheld it better
danced at the Cqfino, and do think it more fuitable to fuch a Place than to a Drawing Room. The
Young Fellows did take their Partners by the Waift, and thefe did lean upon the others' Shoulders,
and with one Arm ftretched out, and holding Hand in Hand, they did fpin round the Room
together. But, 1 .ack ! to fee the kicking up of Heels and (lamping of them on the Ground, which
did mightilv remind me of Jim Crow. In truth, I am told that the Polka is but a Peafant's I [op,
from Hungary, and now to think of Perfons of Quality cutting fuch Capers! Sir Hilary to
his Tafte; but a Minuet for me at Home, with Gentlewomen, and a Polka with Milkmaids at a
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Maying or in a Booth. Meanwhile the Servants did hand round Glaffes of Negus, which was poor
Stuff; and thofe who lifted to Supper when they chofe, in a fide Room, off wretched Sandwiches
of the Size of the Triangles in Euclid his Geometry, which did think fhabby. Home in a Cab,
at Two in the Morning, much wearied and little pleafed ; and on our Way Home, fpying a Tavern
open, did go and get me a Pint of Beer, and the fame to my Wife ; for we were both athirft, and
ftie in an ill Humour about the Beauty I had danced with, and I becaufe of the bad Supper ; and
Co very ill-contented to Bed.
I^NERS-AMD' CVSTOMS-CR X^NSUYSi^- IN- 1849 N° 2
■^^A pRflSPEiCT-OF-A--FASHrONABLE-HABEP,DASHER hvs-SHOPE
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Prospect of a Fashyonable Haberdasher hvs Shopl.
[Tuefday, Augujt 7, 1849.]
FINDING Fault with my Wife, for that fhe do not ufe enough Excrcife ; whence her
continual Headach, and Faddell, the 'Potticary his Bill of £5. She replying that I
would never take her out, I (aid I would, whenever fhe liked ; whereupon, we agreed to
go a Walk forthwith, and my Wife did propofe Regent Street. So we thither, pleating ourfelves
with obferving the Pa(Ters-by and the Carriages, and the Streets blazing with fine Ladies and
flaming Liveries. Going by Lindsev and Woolsev\, my Wife's I've taken with a Scarf in the
Window, and would flop to look at it with a Crowd of other Women gazing at the Finery,
which Mr. Skitt do call Baits, and a Draper's Shop a Lady-Trap. Prefently fhe recollected
that fhe wanted a Collar; fo we into the Shop, where fome fixty or eighty Ladies fitting before
the Counters, examining the Wares, bufy as Blue-Bottle Flies at a Sugar Cafk. Behind the
Counters the Shopmen and Amftants, fhowing off the Goods, and themfelves alfo, with mighty
dainty Airs, every one of them, almoft, Narcissus his Image. Hut I fear me they owe their
pale delicate Looks and languid Ways in Part to the Want of furrkient Air and Exercife ; which
is a fad Confideration. One of thefe dapper young Sirs did help my Wife to her Collar, coft
3s. 6d. ; when fhe thought fhe had better get another while about it, coft js. 6d. more. Then,
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
fays he, in his foft condoling Voice, " What is the next Article?" as though taking for granted
that another was wanted — which was too true. For hereupon, my Wife bethought her of lacking
fome Lace Cuffs, four Pair : coft I is. " And now, Mem," (meaning Madam) fays the young
Fellow with a Simper, " allow me to (how you a Love of a Robe, a Barege, Double Glac<5,
brocaded in the Flouncings, and reduced to Twenty-One-and-Six from Forty-Five." But (he
profeffed that (he needed it not : whereat I was glad ; when he did tell her he would do it at
One-and-Four lefs : and fhe then faying that it was indeed a Bargain, which I find is a Woman's
Word for anything cheap whether wanted or no, I let her have it : coft £i os. id. But, to be
fure, the Pattern was pretty, and my Wife being well-drefled do pleafe my Tafte, and alfo increafe
my Confequence and Dignity. The Robe bought, it comes into her Head that (he could not do
without a new Shawl to match it, blue and fcarlet, coft £2 is., but will look mighty fine, and, I
hope, laft. Here I thought to hale her at once by Force away ; but feeing a ftout middle-aged
Gentleman doing the very Thing, and how mean it looked, did forbear; and in the Meanwhile
the Shopman did beg, as he faid, to tempt her with a fuperior AfTortment of Ribbons. She
rummaging over this Frippery, I to gaze about the Shop, and with Fellow-Feeling did mark an
unhappy fmall Boy, while his Mother was comparing fome three-fcore different Pieces of Satin,
perched on a Stool, out of Patience. My Wife would have 5J. worth of Ribbons, and here I
hoped would make an end ; but the Shopman did exhibit to her fome Silk Stockings ; and
1 telling her they were unneceffary, (he declared that then (he muft wear Boots, which (he knows
I utterly hate ; and concluded with buying half a Dozen Pair, coft 24J. : with this my Martyrdom
finifhed ; and we away, bowed out of the Shop with Congees by the smirking Shopwalker, rubbing
his Hands and grinning, as obfequious as could be ; and fo Home ; I mighty ferious, having laid
out £5 \os. id. ; and the next time I take out my Wife for a Walk, it (hall be in the Fields
and not in Regent Street.
J^AUNEB^.AHc.CvSTOMs-of >' -ETNG-LYSHE iN . |g+9 . N°3.
JE
Y' FASHONAJ3LE V7CRLDL-TAKWGE-ITS exeB,CYSE IN HYDE ■ PAR.KE
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Fashonable Worlde takynge its Exercise in Hyde Parke.
[Tuefday, March 17th, 1849.]
THIS Day to the Ring in Hyde Park for a Walk to get me an Appetite, and look at the
fine Folks and People of Famion riding in their Carriages, which it do much delight me
to behold. But, good Lack ! what a ftrange Notion of the Pleafureof a Drive ; with the
Carriages in a clofe Line jammed all together, and fometimes coming to a dead Stop like the
Omnibufes in Fleet Street of an Afternoon, and feldom moving on fafter than Mourning Coaches
at a Funeral. Did fee many mighty pretty young Ladies ; and one fitting in a Landau with a
Coronet on the Panel, upon whom I did (mile, but perceiving that (he did turn up her Nose at
me, I did look glum ; howbeit, another comely Damfel that I fmiled at did blulh and fimper,
which gave me Joy. It was as good as a Play to watch the young Guardfmen, with their Tufts
and Muftaches, riding ftraight-legged, and them and the other Bucks taking off their Hats and
killing their Hands to the charming Belles as they pafled them by. But it was rarer ftill to
behold a Snob that ftrove to do the fame Sort of Thing, and did get laughed at for his Pains.
Then what Sport to obferve the fat Coachmen, in their Wigs, fomething like Birtiops', sitting on
their Boxes, and the Footmen behind with their parti-coloured Liveries of drab and green, and
red and yellow Plum, and gold-laced Hats, Shoulderknots and Cockades, bearing their Canes,
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
and their Nofcs to the Sky, holding their Heads as high as Peacocks for Pride in their Frippery
and plump Calves ! Thefe Fellows are as fine as Court Cards, and full as Ridiculous, and they
do divert me in the Extreme : only their bepowdered Pates do offend me, for I think the Fafhion
an uncleanly one ; and after all, I wonder how their Mafters and Miftrefles can delight in drefling
them out fo much like Mountebanks. Did note divers Noble Lords and Gentlemen of the
Houfe of Commons whom I did know either by Sight or from the Caricatures in the Shop-
Windows. From four to five o'Clock around the Ring and up and down by the Serpentine to
make my Obfervations. Methought how jolly these fine People muft be, and how happy they
looked compared to a Beggar Boy whom I did fpy fquatting on the Grafs : yet no Doubt many
of them have Troubles enough, and fome may be even fhort of Cafh to pay for their Vanities.
After that, to the Corner, by the Powder Magazine, nigh to Kenfington Gardens, to fee the
Company alight from their Carriages, and take an Inventory of the Ladies' Drefles, whereof to
furnifh an Account to my Wife. Then away Home at half-paft Five, and fo to Dinner off a
Shoulder of Mutton and Onion-Sauce, which my Wife doth make exceeding Well, and my Dinner
did content me much ; and thereupon I did promife my Wife a new Bonnet, the Like whereof I
had feen on a Countefs in the Park, and fo both in great Good Humour, and very loving all the
Evening.
MANNEKS-AND-CVSTom-OF^ EwGLYSHE -IN ■ 1849 N° 4
'vA ^Drawyn&e R§oM JlDAY SAVWTEJAM£:S-iiys-ST|U£TE.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Drawvnge Room Dav. Saynte Iames hys Streets.
[Thursday, March 29th, 1849.]
TO fee the Nobility and Gentry, and other great Company, go to the Queen's Drawing-
Room, with a Friend to St. James's Street, where did ftand in front of Boodle's Club-
Houfe in the Rain, which was heavy, and fpoiled my Paris Hat, coft me twelve
Shillings. But the Sight of the Show was al mod worth the Damage; for the Red and Blue
Uniforms of the Army and Navy Officers, with their Orders on their Breads, and their Cocked
Hats and Plumes in their Laps, and the Ladies of Quality in their Silks and Satins of all Manner
of Colours, and their Hair crowned with Oftrich Feathers, and fparkling with Pearls and
Diamonds, did much delight me to behold. I do not remember that, when I was a Boy, 1 was
ever more taken with a Pageant at Bartholomew Fair. Though I wiih I could have had as good
a View of the Gentlefolks within the Carriages as I had of the Lackeys outfide, who, with their
fupcrcilious Airs, and their Jackanapes Garb, did divert me more than ever. I do continually
marvel at the enormous Calves of thofe Varlets, for which one might almort think they were
reared, like a fort of Cattle. Indeed, I mould have believed that their Stockings were ltuffed,
if I had not feen one of them wince when a 1 Iorfe chanced to lay hold of his leg. It did more
and more amaze me to obferve how high they carried their Notes, efpecially as moft of them had
Pofies in their Bofoms ; whereas they looked as though, inltcad, there were fome unfavoury
Odour beneath their Noftrils. But much as the Servants refembled Zanies and Harlequins, yet
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
did fomc of their Mafters look not much better ; being dreffed in a Court Suit, which methinks
do make a Gendeman feem a fort of embroidered Quaker. I do greatly wonder why the
uglieft Apparel of any Date in Englifh Hiftory mould be pitched upon for the Court Drefs.
But the fplendid Carriages painted with Coats of Arms, and the ftately caparifoned Horfes, did
make a rare Show ; and among them mighty droll to mark the Hack Cabs that were not fuffered
to enter at the Palace Gate ; fo the Fares had to alight and walk on Foot the Reft of the Way
to the Drawing-Room : and fo into the Prefence of Her Majesty in dirty Boots : which, now
I bethink me, was not feemly ; the rather as many of them are Half Pay Officers, and other poor
but loyal Subjects, who could afford no better than a Cab. But good Lack ! it did moll tickle
me to view the Sheriff's Coach, which for Magnificence did exceed the Fairy's Chariot in the
Opera-Play of Cinderella ; and great Sport it was to hear and fee the little rafcal Boys ftiout and
clap their Hands as it went by. Alfo it did give me extreme Amufement to notice the gimcrack
Equipages and bearded Vifages, and Playhoufe Attire of the different Foreign Ambaffadors ; of
whom I think the Turkifh was the moft grand. It did make me laugh not a little to fee the
Police with their Truncheons, keeping order among the Vagabonds, till one did tell me to move
on, which did vex me. Then there were the Guards, in full Uniform on Horfeback, with their
Helmets on their Heads and their Swords drawn, about one under each Lamp Poft, mounting
Guard, very warlike to look upon, and I believe this is the heavieft Part of their Duty. What
with the blazing Uniforms and glittering Jewels, and illuminated Coaches, and the Laughter I
was moved to by the motley Footmen and Foreigners, my Eyes were dazzled and my Head did
fomewhat ache ; moreover, fome pretty faces I did gaze upon did put my Heart in a Flutter,
which did not think fit to mention to my Wife. Methinks how fine it would be to ride in State
to Court, if it were not fo chargeable, and I fhould much delight in the Honour and Glory of
the Thing, but ftiould not at all like the Expenfe. A Drawing-Room doth altogether eclipfe the
Lord Mayor's Show; although it do feem but a Toy and gilt Gingerbread Affair, and an
empty, childifti Difplay, like the Babies' Game of King and Queen ; but then it hath certainly
this Advantage, that it do much good to Trade.
MANNERS AMD-G/STOMS-OF^ -ENG-LYSHE in • 1 8A-9. |\p 5
5MnnriELD cattle mwucete:.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Smvthfield Cattle Markete.
[Monday, April gt/i, 1849.]
UP betimes, it being fcarcely Light, to Smithfield, to fee the Cattle Market, which I do
think a great Difgrace to the City, being fo natty, filthy, and dangerous a Place in the
very I Ieart of London. I did obferve the Manner of driving the Beafts together, ufed
by the Drovers, which did difguft me. To force the Oxen into their Places, they have flout
Cudgels, pointed with iron Goads or Prods, wherewith they thrull the Creatures in the Flefh of
their Hind Quarters, or with the Cudgel belabour them on the Hock. These Means failing,
they do feize the Animal's Tail and give it a fudden Wrench with a Turn of the Wrill, whereby
they fnap the Tail-Bone, and fo twill and wring the fpinal Cord till he pufhes forward as far as
they would have him. Some, not getting Room for the Beads in the Pens, do drive them into
Circles called Ring Droves, with their hind Parts outwards, and their Heads forced as clofe as
may be together : this done by beating them with all their Might about the I lead and Eyes, and
between the Horns, which they do call pething them. Then to fee how they crowd the Sheep
into the Pens by dogging them as their Word is, which means baiting them with Docs that do
tear the Sheeps' lye-;, Ears, and Cheeks, until they worry such Numbers in, that not one can
budge an Inch. All this Cruelty is caufed by the Market not being big enough : for which
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Reafon they are obliged to force the unlucky Brutes into the fmalleft poflible Space. What with
the Oaths and Curfes of the Drovers and Butchers and the Barking of their Dogs and the Cries
of the Animals in Torture, I do think I never heard a more horrid Din in my Life. The
Hearing was as bad as the feeing, and both as bad as could be, except the Smell, which was
worfe than either. But to be fure it was good Sport to fee here and there a fat Grazier
overthrown by a Pig running between his legs, and fo upfetting him in the Mire. It were well
if it were never worfe ; but with mad Oxen driven from the Market through Streets full of
People, it continually happens that fome Perfon is tofled and gored, and one of thefe Days it will
be an Alderman, and then Smithfield will be put an End to. No Doubt it would have been
done away with long ago, but for the Tolls and Dues which the Corporation do derive from the
Market. This is why they do keep up a Nuifance which did well nigh poison me ; though one
of them at a Meeting did declare that he thought Smithfield falubrious, and did fend his Children
to walk there for Change of Air, which if it were for the better, methinks that Gentleman's
Dwelling-Houfe mould be a fweet Abode. All but the Citizens do fay that Parliament ought
to abolifti this Nuifance; but it is thought that my Lord John dare not ftir in the Matter,
becaufe he is Member for the City. To Breakfaft to an Early Coffee Houfe, having loft my
Pocket Handkerchief, coft me $s., doubtlefs by the Pickpockets, of whom Smithfield, befides its
other Recommendations, is a great Refort. But content, not having had an Ox's Horn in my
Stomach, and having feen all I wanted, and do not wifti to fee any more.
MERj-AND.CvsroMS.oF-y* ENGlyshe: in • /849 • N° .6
r^.pEW.FRjEMDSToTC^AUD A LYTUE: ■ fv|Y<
SYCK .
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Few Friends to Tea, and a Lyttle Mvsyck.
[Tut/day, April ij, 1849.]
TO Mr. Jigcins's, where my Wife and I were invited to Tea and a little Mufique, but
we had much Mufique and little Tea, though the Mufique was like the Tea in Quality,
and I do prefer a ftronger Kind of Mufique as welJ as Liquor. Yet it was pleating
enough to the Far to hear the Fafhionable Ballads, and the Airs from all the New Italian Operas
fung by the young Ladies ; which, though they exprefled Nothing but common-place Love and
Sentiment, yet were a pretty Sing-Song. But to fee the young Fellows whilrt a Beaut)- was
finging crowd round her, and bend over her Shoulders, and almoft scramble to turn over the
Leaves of her Mufique Book ! Befides the Singing, there was Playing of the Piano Forte, with
the Accompaniment of a Fiddle and Bafs Yioll, the Piano being played by a flout fat Lady with
a Dumpling Face ; but for all her being fo fat it did amaze me to fee how nimbly she did fillip
the Keys. They did call this Piece a Concerto, and I was told it was mighty brilliant ; but when
I afked what Fancy, Paffion, or Defcription there was in it, no one could tell ; and I verily
thought the Brilliancy like that of a Parte Buckle. It had not even an Air to carry away and
whittle, and would have pleafed me juft as well if I had rtopped my Ears, for I could discern
Nothing in it but Mufical Sleight of Hand. But good Lack ! to think how, in thefe Days,
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Execution is Everything in Mufique, and Compofition little or Nothing : for almoft no Account
is made of the Mafter, and a prepofterous Value put upon the Player, or Artifte, as the Frenchified
Phrafe now is ! After the Concerto, fome Polkas and Waltzes, which did better pleafe me ; for
they were a lively Jingle certainly, and not quite unmeaning. Strange, to find how rare a Thing
good Mufique is in Company ; and by good Mufique I mean fuch as do ftir up the Soul, like
the Flowers and Sunfhine in Spring, or Storms and Tempefts, or ghoftly Imaginations, or the
Thought of great Deeds, or tender or terrible Paffages in Poetry. My Wife do play fome brave
Pieces in this Kind, by Mynheer Van Beethoven> and I would rather hear her perform one
of them, than all I did hear to-Night put together ; and fo I did tell her when we got Home,
which did content her well. But every one to his Tafte ; and they who delight in the trivial
Style of Mufique to theirs, as I to mine, not doubting that the Englirti, that have but juft begun
to be fenfible to Mufique at all, will be awake to the nobler Sort of it by and by. And, at any
Rate, an Evening of infipid Mufique and weak Tea is better than fitting toping and guzzling
after Dinner.
|\4ANMERSAND-CvsToM's.oFyt Englyshe-in 1849- N0' 7-
3& '
^ National Sporte m of Steep\s ■ CWasy/mgf
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye National Sporte ! ! ! of Steeple Chasynce.
[Monday, April 23, 1849.]
DOWN the Road to a Steeple Chafe, which I had never feen before, and did much long
to behold : for of all Things I do love Diverfion and Merriment ; and both Mr.
Strappes and Sir William Spurkins did tell me there would be rare Sport. Got a
Place in the Grand Stand, coft me half-a-Guinea, which was loth to part with, but thought I
mould have brave Entertainment for fo much Money. Did find myfelf here in fine Company,
Dukes, and Earls, and Lords and Ladies too, which did pleafe me ; but among them feme
Snobs, in Stable-cut Clothes, with fpotted Neckcloths and Fox-headed Breaft-pins ; though fomc
of thefe were Lords too, who feemed to have been at Pains to look like Ortlers. To fee the
Crowd on Horfeback and in Carriages, and thofe on Foot punning and fcrambling, and trampling
each other to get a Sight of the Courfe, as if there had been going to be a Coronation, or a Man
hanged! The Courfe, marked out with Flags, and having Hurdles, Ports, Fences, Rails,
Hedges, Drains, Ditches, and Brooks in the Way ; and this Sportfinen do call the Country, and
fay fuch a Country is a Teafer, and Co I fhould think. By-and-by the Jockies in their Saddles,
but their word is Pig-fkins, looking, in their gay Colours, like Tulips on Horfeback, which was
a pretty Sight. Then a Bell rung to clear the Courfe, and the Horfes with their Riders drawn
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
up ready to ftart, and prefently a Flag flourished for a Signal : and fo they off. Good Lack, to
fee them galloping helter-fkelter, like mad, through Rivers, and over Hedges and Ditches, and
the whole Thing done in ten Minutes ! Some did jump the Fences and Hedges, which they
about me did term Rafpers, clean over ; but others not fo lucky, and ftuck in Brambles or on
Stakes, or between double Rows of Ports, with a Quickfet in the Middle, whereof the cant name
is Bullfinchers. Others upfet in Ditches ; and one or two of them not able to get up again, and
carried away upon fome of the Hurdles ; and when the Race was over, three Horfes found lying
with their Backs broken, and fo mot. Sir William did inform me that it was a tidy Field,
which I could not agree, with the Rafpers and Palifades upon it, and the Horfes fpiked, or
fprawling with their Riders on the Ground with broken Backs and Limbs. Nor did I underftand
the Fun of this Part of the Thing ; wherefore I fuppofe I muft be dull ; for it do feem to be the
chief Delight that People take in it. For, as if the Gates and Rails belonging to the Ground
were not dangerous enough, they do fet up others called made Fences, being ftubborn Ports and
Stakes twifted with Briars and Brambles, which do feem to be meant for Nothing but to be
tumbled over, and in that Cafe to do as much Mifchief, as may be, to Man and Beaft. The
Horfes moftly ridden by Jockeys for Hire ; but fome by their Owners, who, methinks, do fet a
fufficient Value upon their own Exiftence when they venture their Necks in riding a Steeple
Chafe ; but I do blame them for rifking the Life of a ufeful Horfe.
.MAWEflS AND CvSTo^s of 7E EWffLYSHE- in | 8 49 • Nl° . 8
Ve-Commons .R§ssolved- into- a -Commyttee-of-^ -WHOLE ■ KOVSE .
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Commons Ressolved into a Commyttee of Ye Whole Hovse.
{Friday, April 27, 1849.]
TO the Houfe of Commons, where an I rim Debate on the Rate-in- Aid Bill, which did
make me drowfy. The Houfe in Committee ; the Irifh Members moving all Sorts of
frivolous Amendments, abufing the Government, and quarrelling among themfelvcs.
Sir H. Barron did accufe Mr. Reynolds of being ready to Vote away other People's Money
becaufe he had none of his own, and Mr. Reynolds did fay that he never faw fuch Mifery as
on Sir H. Barron's Eftate ; whereupon Sir H. Barron up in a Rage, and did deny the Fact
with vehement Gefturcs, flouriftiing his Fifts gallantly. Then Mr. Reynolds did fall foul
of Mr. Bateson, one that had been a Captain, for queftioning the Chancellor of the
Exchequer concerning young Reynolds's Place; and did make a Joke upon Mr. Bateson's
Muftachios : whereat much Laughter. But a fmall Joke do go a great Way in the Houfe of
Commons. Before the Debate, Lord John Russell marching up one of the fide Galleries,
and taking the Meafurc of the Houfe through his Eye-Glafs : a fliarp delicate little Man, with
a mild Voice, but do carry himfelf ftately. Methought his Obfervations amufed him, for he
fmirked a little, and looked as if he knew the Cuftomers he had to deal with. But to fee him
and the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer trying to perfuade the
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Irifh Members not to prefs their ridiculous Motions to a Divifion, wheedling and coaxing them,
as (railing and civil as Haberdafhers ! The Bill to be reported to-morrow ; and then the Houfe
to a little ordinary Bufinefs ; and Mr. Horsman's Bill poftponed, through the Irifh cavilling
and squabbling. Then a Debate on naming the Committee on Savings Banks ; and made an
Irifh Qucftion too ; the Difpute how many Irifh Members were to ferve on the Committee : and
the End, the Naming of the Committee delayed. This Way of doing Bufinefs in the Houfe of
Commons makes it no Wonder how little is done ; and the chief Caufe is the Irifh Members
haranguing upon Nothing and quarrelling about Straws, which do feem to me a childifh and
fpiteful Attempt to give Trouble to Government. I did hope to hear a Speech from Sir
Robert Peel, but was difappointed, which did vex me; but heard a few Words from Colonel
Sibthorp, which made mighty Laughter, and were as fenfible as any Thing I heard all the
Evening : and the Colonel in a brave Waiftcoat, with his droll figure, did divert me much.
Laft of all, a Settlement of the Smithfield Committee : and I do wonder this became not an Irifh
Matter too. The Houfe adjourning at half-paft One in the Morning ; and to fee the Number
of Members lying afleep on the Gallery Benches ! All this While Nothing whatever done of
more Importance than Parifh Bufinefs at a Veftry. I off to Supper in the Haymarket on pickled
Salmon and Stout, coft me is. Sd., and then Home and to Bed, paft i o'Clock, and my Wife
do fay that the Houfe of Commons keep worfe Hours than any Tavern in Town.
Manned • and- CVSToms- of a Eng-LY5he-in-j&49 • [\!° • 9
Ye Pvb LICK- its- ExcyrerMETNTE- OiV * appeal ah ce. of -Miss L/MD
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
• — *»»
Ye Pvblick its Excytemente on ve Appearance of Miss Lino.
[Saturday, May 5, 1849.]
TO the Queen's Houfe in the Haymarket to hear Jemmy Lind, whom Everybody do
call the Swedifh Nightingale. Did go with a Pit Ticket, coll me 8 s. 6J., which is a
mighty Sum of Money to pay for only the Chance of a Seat. Went at 6, p. m.,
expecting a Crowd, and there a Mob of People already at the Doors, and fome did fay they had
come as early as Five. Got as clofe as I could to the Pit Entrance, and the Throng incr
and by-and-by Ladies in their Opera DrefTes ftanding without their Bonnets in the Street. Many
of them between the Carriage Wheels and under the Horfes' Meads: and methinks I did never
fee more Carriages together in my Life. At laft the Doors open ; which did begin to fear they
never would, and I in with the Prefs, a moil terrible CruOi, and the Ladies (creaming and their
Drefles torn in the Scramble, wherefore I thought it a good Job that my Wife was not with me.
With much ado into the Pit, the Way being (lopped by a Snob in a green Jockey Coat and
Bird's Eye Neckcloth, that the Checktakers would not fuffer to pais. The Pit full in a
Twinkling, and I fain to (land where I bed might, nigh to hop's Alky : but prefendy a Lady
fainting with the Heat and carried out, which was glad of; I mean that I got her Place. I did
never behold fo much Company in the Houfe before ; and every Box full of Beauties, and hung
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
with yellow Satin Curtains, did fhow like a brave Picture in a Gold Frame; which was very
handfome to look round upon while the Muficians were tuning. The Fiddles tuned, and the
Overture played, the Curtain up for the Opera ; which was the Sonnambula ; the Part of Amina
aded by Jenny. The moment fhe came on the Stage, the Audience, Lords, Ladies, and all,
upon their Legs, fhouting, cheering, waving Hats and Handkerchiefs, and clapping of Hands in
white Kid Gloves. But at laft they filent, and let the Nightingale fing ; and for certain fhe is a
wonderful Singer. It did amaze me to hear how eafy and fweetly me do trill and warble the
moft difficult Paflages : and I perceive fhe hath a rare Ability of Voice. But what did no lefs
aftonifh me was her Acting, it being as good as her Singing ; for fhe did feem to forget herfelf
in her Part, inftead of her Part in herfelf; which is the Miftake of moft Opera Singers. To
think that fhe fhould draw the whole Town in Crowds together to hear her fing a few pretty
Sugar-plum Melodies and portray the Grief of a poor Peafant Wench caft off by her Lover !
But fhe do put a Grace and Beauty of her own into the Character and Mufique : which I take
to be the Mark of a true Genius. She made to fing divers Songs twice over, and called upon
the Stage at the End of the Act, and again when the Opera was finifhed ; when, good Lack, to
fee the Nofegays and Pofies flung in Heaps upon the Stage ! She muft needs get a Mint of
Money by her Singing ; but fhe has fpent a Deal of it in building Hofpitals, and I do wifh
(Heaven forgive me !) I had all fhe has given away in Charity.
^KNN£R.i-ANDCVSTOMS. OF/0 EN&LY5HE-.N- |849- N° 10
/\^PRospbct-cf.ExeTejv.-Hall- Showyn&e-a Christian- (kHTLiMA^DENOVNCYNGf:'^ POPE-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Prospect of Exeter Hall. Showynge a Christian Gentleman Denovncynge ye Pope.
^U'cdncjday, May g, 1849.]
WENT this Morning to Exeter Hall, where one of the May Meetings that do regularly
take Place at this Time of the Seafon, and ferve in lieu of Concerts and Shows to a
Sort of People that call themfelves ferious. This, one of the Meetings of a Proteftant
Aflociation, which I had heard much of and did long to go to, expecting to hear fome good
Argument againft the Roman Catholiques. But inftead of Argument, I did hear Nothing but
Abufe, which do always go in at one Ear and out at the other. No new Point brought forward
to confute Popery ; but only an Iteration of the Old Charges of Superltition and fo forth, urged
with no greater Power than mere Strength of Lungs. The Commotions on the Continent Ian-
Year laid much Strefs on, and the Turmoils in Catholique and Quiet in Proteftant States contrafted,
as though there had been no Dilturbance or Trouble in Prulna or Denmark, or any Tumult or
Revolution in Belgium or Portugal. I did note two chief Speakers, whom, on their rifing, the
Aflembly did applaud as if they had been Actors, and to be fure, they ranted more frantically
than I did ever fee Hicks. Yet at times they (looped to Drollery in the Height of their
Paflion, and one of them did make fuch Sport of the Roman Catholique Religion as would not
have been fufFered in the Adelphi Theatre. But I do find that fome who would not be feen in
MR. PIPS HIS DIART.
a Play-Houfe can enjoy their Laugh at Exeter Hall. This Orator was a Clergyman of fome
Kind, tor he was called Reverend in the Hand-bill, and dreffed in a clerical Habit, but his Eyes
and Face blazing with Wrath, did ftorm like a Madman againft the Maynooth Grant and the
Pope of Rome ; and howled as fierce as a Hya;na. The other a Clergyman too* and looked as
much like one, with his fneering angry Vifage, and did vehemently harangue, crying bitterly out
on fome of my Lords and the Members of the Commons Houfe that had voted for Popifh
Endowment His Oration a Medley of Sarcafm, Invedive, and Buffoonery, and wound up with
I Mourifh of Patriotifm and Loyalty. The Speeches received with Applaufe and Laughter, but
alfo with Interruptions and crying to turn Somebody out. The Speakers on a Platform, whereon
they bounced backwards and forwards, having Rails in Front as if to hinder them from breaking
loofe on the Audience. Behind them a Crowd of dainty fmooth Gentlemen in Black, with white
Neckerchiefs, and to fee how demure they looked, as if Butter would not melt in their Mouths !
In the Body of the Hall a goodly Number of Heads, but by far the Mod of them in Bonnets.
The two chief Speeches lafted an Hour and a Half each, and the Chairman leaving his Seat, I
away, my 1 lend aching through the Raving. Such Violence, methinks, do only prove that there
are other Bigots betides Papifts ; and is the word Means of enforcing any Truth ; for they that
fpeak in Anger and Paflion are commonly concluded by indifferent People to be in the Wrong.
The Society complaining of want of Funds, which I do not wonder at, for I fear me the
Subfcribers have but few Catholiques converted for their Money.
Manners and Cvstoms of Ye ETnglyshe-in- I84Q . N° n
V Exhybitvon at y [\oyal >ACademye.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Exhybityon at ye Royal Academve.
[Monday, May 21, 1849.]
THIS Morning with my Wife to the Exhibition of the Royal Academy, where 611
Paintings, befides Miniatures and other Drawings, and Pieces of Sculpture, making
altogether 1341 Works of Art, and methought it would be ftrange if there were not
fome Mafterpiece among fo many. The whole to be feen for the fmall Sum ot is., and the
Catalogue coft me u. more, but mould have known all the old Hands as well without it. To
fee how eafy it is to diftinguifh them by their Styles after two or three Years' Experience : as one
by his Dogs, that might be expected to bark, or to talk rather, with their Looks and Ways like
human Creatures. Then another by his Colouring that do refemble a Mam of fweet Omelet
with all the Colours of the Rainbow and many more ; which methinks is a Grange Fancy ; but
now he hath a Picture out of his trite Fafhion ; done after the Manner of the antique Mafters,
and a good Imitation. A third alio by his unadorned Beauties with their glowing Eyes and
Cheeks and plump fwarthy Flefh, and a fourth by his never ending Perspectives, and Gulfs or
Darkncfs, and Mountains of Blue. But this Year I do mark fewer of thefe old Acquaintances,
and more of the Works of younger Men, wherein there is Ids ot" Knack and more of Frelrmcts,
which I do citccm a hopeful Sign. The Exhibition at large I judge to be a very excellent
MR. PIPS HIS BURY.
middling one, many Pictures good in their Kind, but that Kind in a very few Cafes high. The
Silks and Satins moftly painted to Admiration, and the Figures copied carefully from the Model;
but this do appear too plainly ; and the Action generally too much like a Scene in a Play. In
the hiftorical Pictures the Characters drefTed ftrictly in the Falhion of their Time, but in the beft
of them a Lack of Fancy and Imagination, though feeming original through a certain Quaintness
that do fmack of Church-Window Saints and illuminated Miflals. The Landfcapes better, and a
moft brave Morning on the Lake of Zurich by one that hath the right Stuff in him, and fome
fweet melancholy Shades and folemn Groves, and a Solitary Pool, that did pleafe me mightily, and
my Wife do fay that the Artift mould be Commiffioner of Woods and Forefts. Some Pictures
of common Life pretty enough, and a little Crowd before a pleafant fentimental one called the
Duet. One or two droll ones, as the Slide, and Drawing for the Militia, did make me laugh :
but to think how many Woodcuts as good as the beft you can get in a little Mifcellany published
weekly, coft you 3^. Fewer filly Portraits of Gentlemen and Ladies than formerly, which is a
Comfort. The Pictures fairly enough hung, and ftrange to fee a dead Lion between Monsieur
Guizot and Prince Metternich, as though to reprcfent abfolute Monarchy, and feemed meant
for a Joke. Some Pictures in the Octagon Room, which could not tell whether they were good
or no for Want of Light, and the fame with all the Sculptures in their Lumber Hole. This is
how we treat Art in this Country, and with Paintings prefented to the Nation buried in a Vault,
but forry Encouragement is given to Genius ; and no Wonder that Artifts do Pictures for
Furniture to fell to the great and fmall Vulgar, and fo produce the Kind of Works that make up
the greater Part of the Exhibition.
JUMEPS MD CvsToms of F E.MGLYSHEINJ849- N°. /I.
:-. "
►A-Vitw-OF. Epsom -^ow h r^ oN >»]Der>bye: DAY£
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY
A View of Epsom Downes on ve Derbye Dave.
[IVednefday, May 2j, 1849. — Derby Day.]
TO Epfom Downs to the Great Derby Race. In a Barouche, with a Party, over Vauxhall
Bridge, and by Clapham, and very merry we were, carrying I [ampers with Store of evei y
Thing needful for a brave Lunch. The Windows and Houfe Fronts crowded, and School-
Boys mounted on Walls and Gates, and they and the Urchins in the Street fhouting, as though
we were going to the Races for their Amufement. But Lack ! to fee the pretty fm art Damfels
come out to gaze at us, or peeping behind Blinds and Curtains, all in high Glee, as if glad that
we were taking our Pleafure, and good Humour do wonderfully heighten Beauty, as I do tell
my Wife. The Road through Trees and Orch irds, and the Sun mining through the young
Leaves and on the Horfe-Cheltnut BIolTbms, and the blowers looking bright like the LalTes.
So we on, with Mirth and Pleafant Difcourfe, till into the Ruck, which is the Jam of Carriages
caufed by the Stoppage at the Turnpike : and did banter each other and them about us.
the Courfe to the Hill, the Admiffion colt us £1. Good Lack! what a Crowd of People
collected to fee which out of fix-and twenty Horfes mould run the faded, and what a Medley of
Vans, Omnibufles, and Taxed Carts on either Side of the Courfe with the People in Front of
them, and the Grand Stand crowded with Heads, plenty as Blackberries and feeming like a
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
huge Mafs of them. A Throng of Carriages about us, whereon young handfome rakifh-looking
Gallants with Muftaches and Cigars. Here and there, in open Coaches, Ladies in lilac and blue
Dreffes, and pink Bonnets, and gay Ribbons, all Manner of Colours, looking, with the parti-
coloured Flags over the Booths, mighty lively. Prefently a Bell rung and the Courfe cleared,
but then to fee an unlucky Dog running to get out, and the Mob yelling at him, and the poor
Dog in his Fright ruftiing ftraight on like mad ! Then the Horfes with the motley Jockies
on them prancing up and down before the Grand Stand, to ftiow their Paces to the Folks in the
Betting Ring. At laft, they taken to the Poft, and fo ftarted with much Cheering, and came
eafy round Tattenham Corner; but prefently away in good earned, like Shot! The chief
Struggle between the Flying Dutchman and Hot/pur, but Yellow-Cap did win by half a Length.
The Winner declared by his Number, hung out in Front of the Grand Stand, and to fee the
Flock of Carrier Pigeons fent up to bear away the News ; but Mr. Wagstaffe do fay they
were Nothing to the Pigeons left behind. The Race run in three Minutes, but to think of the
Money loft and won in that little Time ! My Lord Eglinton and the Public, as I hear, do
gain much, and the Ring and Rogues do lofe, which I am glad of. After the Race, to a brave
Lunch ; but the Gipfy Children and Women did come and beg Morfels out of our Plates, as
well as Money, and got Plenty of both, but in the Midft of all the Luxury it was a forry Sight.
Then about the Courfe to fee the Company and the Flinging at Snuff-Boxes, and the Thimble-
Rig, but of the laft I faw none, only fome playing at Roulette and Hazard, but the Police did
feize and break feveral of the Tables, and take away the Stakes. Great Sport returning Home,
with the ftiouting for the Winner, and Trumpetting on Horns, and tolling of Snuff-Boxes and
Toys to the pretty Laffes at the Windows, and bandying Jokes, but all in mighty good Humour.
Seeing all Sorts and Conditions of Perfons, great and fmall, joining in Sport and Frolic, made
me compare our own Country with foreign Nations that do prate of their Fraternity, but can none
of them ftiow fuch a Sample of it as the Derby.
MAwdEitt.AND CVSTOMS.OF-^ bLNGLY5HE/w.)849. N° I 3.
A Prospect or GftPLNwiay F/MFO
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Prospect of Greenwich Fair.
[Tuefday, May 29, 1849. — Whit-Tuesday.]
DOWN the River with Browne to Greenwich to view the Fair. To the Park, where
young Fellows and Hoydens at Archery, Donkey Riding, playing at Kifs-in-the-Ring,
and running down the Hill, romping, tripping, and tumbling over Head and Heels,
with Shouting, Screaming, and Laughter. Then down to the Fair, made in a narrow Space in
the Town by a Couple of Rows of Booths and Sweet-Meat and Toy-Stalls, with Raree Shows
at the farther Fnd, and Swings and Roundabouts on the Outfide. The Paflage moll infufferably
crammed ; and we having to force our Way between Walls hung with Dolls and Gilt Ginger-
Bread. The Stalls and Booths crowded alfo, and the Tobacco Smoke rifing from the Drinking
Places like a Fog. Young Prentice- Blades and Shop-Boys puihing about with large Mafquerade
Nofes, and did entertain themfelvcs more than me. But the chief Amuftment of theft Royfterers
and the frolicfome Wenches do feem to be fcratching one another, and the Company, behind,
with a Scraper, which is a notched Difk of Wood, that turns on an Axle in a Mortife, with a
1 landle fome fix Inches long, and being dragged down a Man's Back, do make him believe that
his Coat is torn, as I thought mine was, when firll ftrved fo, which did trouble me. With this
Noifc of continual Tearing, and the Squeaking of Tin Trumpets, and Blowing of Whittles, and
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
half-a-dozen different Bands playing as many Tunes, is altogether made a moft difcordant
Mufique ; and the Showmen bellowing to the Spectators to walk up, do increafe the Babel.
Strange to fee the Lads and Laffes, heaved up and down, over and under, in the Swings, and to
think what Pleafure they can take in fuch a Motion, which methinks a Phyfician might prefcribe
in Lieu of a Sea Voyage. With much ado, to Richardson's Show, where a Tragedy, a Comic
Song and a Pantomime all in Half an Hour, and the Tragedy accompanied on Whiftles and
Penny Trumpets by the Audience. But the beft of the Fun outfide, between the Performances,
with the Beef-Eaters' Band playing, and the Show-Girls in their Spangles and Paint, dancing,
and the Clowns grimacing and flinging Summerfets, and the Robber Chief (landing in a brave
Pofture in the Corner. Store of Fat Ladies, Wonderful Pigs, Giants and Dwarfs to fee, and
Conjurors in Plenty, fpecially in the Crowd, conjuring Handkerchiefs out of Pockets. In the
Evening to the great Dancing-Booth, which lighted up and hung with variegated Lamps, was,
to be fure, a pretty fine Sight. But the Company uproarious through Drink ; and yet the
Dancing without Livelinefs, being moftly that roguiih Chin-and-Shoulder French Dance, gone
heavily through, and little Happinefs, I fufpecl:, in the Hearts of the Dancers. Here again
almoft the only Merriment was that perpetual Scraping, and they who fold the Scrapers, did cry,
" All the Fun of the Fair for id. :" and, methinks, faid the Truth. Home by the Railway
Train, wherein the Paffengers bawling and ringing the whole of the Way — the moft tipfy. They
do fay that thefe Fairs are falling off, which I am not forry for ; for they do caufe a Concourfe
of Rogues and bad Characters ; and methinks, that the more good cheap Concerts abound, and
Mufeums and Exhibitions are opened to the Public, the lefs will the People frequent fuch Places
as Greenwich Fair.
JV1 ANNERS-AND- CVSTOM'S OF * b MGLYSHE' IN ■ 184-9 K° . 1 4
Kensync™.Qap.lems with >■« bande playinge- there:
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Kensyngton Gardens with ye Bande Playinge there.
[Friday, June I, 1849.]
IN the Afternoon to Kenfington Gardens, where a Band of the Guards do play on this Day,
and alio on Monday throughout the Seafon, and draw together a great Crowd of Falhionable
Folks. The Tunes played moftly Polkas and Waltzes, though now and then a Piece of
Mufique of a better Sort; but the Mufique little more than an Excufe for a Number of People
aflembling to fee and be feen. There all the World and his Wife; and me in all her Finery,
and very well me looked. I did fee gay Drefles and pretty Faces in greater Number than
methinks I ever faw before at one Time. The Day very fair, and the Sun mining glorioufly,
and the bright coloured Silks and Muflins at a Diftance between the Trees, did make a mighty
pleafant Picture. But I not at all content with looking on at a Diftance, but did get as near as I
could to gaze upon the Beauties, and am afraid that I did look too hard at fome ; but they moftly
fmiled, and I believe not any were offended ; for methinks they do not trick themfelves out fo
bravely to difcourage Obfervation. To fee them pacing to and fro in fuch fmart Attire, with
their Ihowy pink, and green, and Forget-me-not Blue Parafols, I could fancy they were the London
Falhions for June come out a walking. But many on Seats with tall well looking Gallants polled
befide them, or bending down to converfe with them with vatt Attention and Politenefs, whereat
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
they feeming mightily pleafed. Others (landing in Groups here and there under the Shade, and
a great Throng of them round about the Muficians ; but all walking to and fro between the
Tunes to ftiow themfelves. Many of the Army among the Crowd, and ftrange, to compare
them and others of our Gentry, in Air and Manner, with one or two dingy Foreigners with their
great Beards and ill-favoured Looks. The little faftiionable Children by the fide of their Mammas
elegant enough to fee ; but over-drefTed in their Velvet and Plaid Tunics and Plumes of Feathers,
and their Ways too mincing and dainty, and looking as though they had ftepped from out a
Band-Box. Methinks they do feem brought up to think too much of their Outfides, and to look
on Difplay and Show as the Bufinefs of their Lives, which is a filly Schooling. I did mark fome
of their Mothers, old enough to know better, bedizened like the young Beauties, but looking
four and glum, and plainly ill at eafe in their Pride and Vanity. But it divert me much to
compare the delicate Children with fome Charity-School Urchins on the other Side of the Wall
that did anger the Park Keeper by mocking him. I doubt me that the young Leatherbreeches
be not the happier as long as they can get a Bellyfull of Victuals. The Company doubtlefs
enjoying themfelves after their Faftiion, but in general looking marvellous grave ; and ftrange to
ftiut my Eyes between the Tunes and to hear Nothing but the Ruftling of Drefies and a Murmur
of Voices as they did walk up and down. It is wonderful how we Englilh do go through our
Amufements after the Manner of a folemn Ceremony. Yet do the people of Faftiion in Ken-
fington Gardens make an exceeding rare Show ; and I do only wifti that there were no Reverfe
of the Picture to be feen among us. But their Finery do afford Employment to Work -People,
and I do thank them for parading themfelves for my Amufement, and the Officers of the Guards
for treating the Town to Mufique, and fo giving Occafion to fuch a fine Spectacle.
MAWNEFL5-aud.CvST0MS.0F* ENGLYSME-lN \84-9 . N°. 15.
HrGHEST- C0VR.T0r-LAW.IN ;• KYNGDOM ■ Y« L0iU)S-HEAR.YNG- APPCALS-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
IIvghest Covrt of Law in ye Kvngdom. Ye Lords Hearvng Appeals.
[Thurfday, June jt/i, 1849.]
UP, and to the Houfe of Lords, where a Committee of Privileges touching a difputed
Peerage, wherein I had no Concern, but did only go for a Sight of the Infide of the
Houfe, and well worth feeing indeed it was ; and the Carving, and Gilding, and Blazoning,
a rich Feaft to the Eye. There prefent none but my Lord Brougham and my Lord Campbell,
and three or four other Lords, which methought a poor Multer, but a fmaller do often ferve for
a Court of Appeal ; for their Lordfhips do truft all their Law Bufinefs to the Law-Lords' 1 I
Counfel ("peaking at the Bar of the Houfe, and the Clerks of the Houfe before them at the Table,
all in their Wigs verv (lately, but my Lords lolling on the Benches, free and eafy, they only
having the Right to make themfelves at Home, yet droll to fee the Officers of the Houfe forced
to ftand, but tome of them leaning againit the Stems of the gilt Candlelticks, faft aflecp on their
Legs. Did think I mould go to deep too, if I ftayed much longer, and about to depart ; but
glad I did not; for prefently the Counfel made an End, and then my Lord Brougham exami-
ning a Witnefs was almoft the beft Sport that I ever had in m\ Life. - The Witnefs, one of the
Attomies for the Claimant of the Title, and Lord Brougham fufpeAing fome Trickery in the
Cafe, and good Lack ' how he did bait and ferret him to draw it out, alking the molt peremptory
MR. PIPS HIS BURY.
Queftions, and fometimes a fecond before the firft could be anfwered, firking with Impatience
like one fmarting with Stinging Settles : which was great Mirth, at leaft to all but the Witnefs.
It did well-nigh caufe me to laugh outright, and commit a Breach of Privilege, to hear him in a
Fume, echo the WitnelT's Anfwers, and cry Eh ? What ! How ! Why ? and Wherefore ? and
demand how he could do this, or came not to do the other, and how was that, and fo forth, and
then let his Memory right, next make a Ihort Speech, then give a little Evidence of his own,
and again go back to the Examination. It feemed that the Pretender to the Peerage had been
helped with Money to maintain his Suit by certain Perfons, and my Lord did ftrive to worm out
of the Lawyer their End therein : but to no Purpofe ; for he had met with his Match ; fo forced
to content himfelf with a Quip on the Chances of the WitnefT's Client. Then another Witnefs
examined; a Chirurgeon, whom Lord Brougham did make merry with for his jolly good-
natured Looks, and did jeft upon concerning his Vocation : and the other did bandy Jokes with
my Lord, and gave him as good as he brought. Methinks fuch Bantering is ftrange of a Peer,
and one that hath been Lord Chancellor and ufed to fit on the Woolfack, or anywhere elfe but
the Box of an Omnibus. But ftrange, how fober a Speech in fumming up the Evidence my
Lord did make after all ; and no Doubt he can be rcafonable and quiet when he pleafes. Save a
few Words from Lord Campbell, not a Syllable fpoke by any Peer but my Lord Brougham ;
wherefore methinks he muft have been thoroughly happy, having had nigh all the Talk to himfelf.
But the higheft Court of Law in the Realm numbering fo few, put me in mind of the Army in
Bombaftes Furiofo, and the Vagaries of Lord Brougham did not the lefs incline me to fancy it
fomewhat of a Burlefque.
MAtftf EPJ5 • AND CVST0M5 OF 1« ENGLYSHE • IN ■ 1849 ■ N° 1 6-
" S OCV E TYZ '. E N I GYi M 0 E . |TSE LF f . at. A SCY R.E E ■
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
"Socyetye" Enioyinge Itselfe at a Soyree.
[Friday, June 15, 1849.]
AFTER a Dinner oft' Bubble and Squeak, my Wife and I to my Lord Wilkinson's
At Home, by Invitation; though Heaven knows if ever I let Eyes on his Lordftiip in
my Life, or he on me ; but do afcribc this Honour to having my Name put down in the
Court Guide, and am glad to find the Confequence and Importance I have got thereby. I in my
new Suit of Black and Silk Neckerchief, with a Fringe at the Ends, and my Wife did wear her
Lace Drefs over her pink Satin Slip, which was very handl'ome. Gave our Card to a Lackey in
yellow and crimfon Livery, with a huge Shoulderknot, who did (hout out our Name, which,
paffing along a Row of his Fellows lining the Stairs, was by the lime it reached the Drawing-
Room changed to Pippins— but no matter; for before I could fet it right, we were prefented to
my Lord and my Lady, who profefled themfelves delighted to lie us. So on with the Stream in
the Crowd ; for my Lord's Drawing-Room as thronged as the Opera Pit Entrance on a Thurfday
Night. Methought furely there was Something worth feeing and hearing ; but faw Nothing
extraordinary beyond the Multitude of Company, and divers Writers, Painters, and other Perfons
of Note, elbowing their Way through the Prefs ; nor heard anything but Puffing and Gafping,
and complaining of the terrible Heat. Several Ladies fainting; and my Wife declaring fhe
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
feared fhe mould faint too, which made me mad; for it is always the Way with Women at
Spectacles and Aflembltes, and yet they needs muft and will go to them. At fome Diftance
before us, a Buftle and Stir, and in the midft of it a Lackey with a Tray, whereon were Ices —
the People ftruggling for them ; and I alfo drove to get one for my Wife, and myfelf as well ;
but the Attempt vain, and we borne clear away by the Current to the other fide of the Room ;
and in the mean Time all the Ice muft have melted ; for fo were we very nearly. Some young
Beauties there, whom to have looked upon at my Eafe, and they at theirs, would have been a
great delight; but they in fuch Difcomfort, that it quite fpoilt their Prettinefs, which was pitiful.
We met Dr. Dabbes the great Chemift, with whom fome pretty Difcourfe concerning the Air of
crowded Rooms, which he faid do contain a Gas called Carbonic Acid, and is poifonous, and we
were now breathing fo much per Cent, of it, which did trouble me. To think what Delight
faftiionable Folks can take in crowding together, to the Danger of Health, a Set of People, for
the moft 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 foiled, coft me %s. 6d. ; but am thankful I carried with me my Spring Hat, which do
ftiut up ; and could not help chuckling a little, to fee how many others got their Hats crufhed.
Home in a Cab, and on the Way bought a Lobfter, whereunto my Wife would have me add a
Bottle of Stout, which did think a good Notion ; coft me together 2s- (>d-> and the Cab is. 6d.
more, and then to Supper , mighty proud that I had been invited by my Lord, though utterly
tired with his Party, and fo with great Satisfaction, but much Wearinefs, to Bed.
Mamehs AND CVSTOMS . OF >a EN&LYSHE IN 1849- N° 17
>A-VTewoR (TLoRDE: hys CRYKXT GR.OVNDE.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A View of Mr. Lorde hvs Crvket Grovnde.
[Monday, June 18, 1849,]
THIS Day a great Cricket Match, Surrey againft England, at Lord's, and I thither, all
the Way to St. John's Wood, to fee the Place, having often heard Talk of it, and the
Playing, which Mr. Longstoppe did tell me was a pretty Sight. Paid 6d. to be let in,
and 2d. for a Card of the Innings, and bought a little Book of the Laws of the Game, coft me
is. 6d. more, though when I had got it, could hardly underftand a Word of it; but to think
how much Money I fpend out of Curiofity, and how inquifitive I am, fo as to be vexed to the
Heart if I cannot thoroughly make out every Thing I fee ! The Cricketing I believe very fine ;
but could not judge of it ; for I think I did never before fee any Cricket fince I was a little Varlet
Boy at School. But what a Difference between the Manner of Bowling in thofe Days, and that
Players now ufe! for then they did moderately trundle the Ball under-hand; but now they fling
it over-handed from the Elbow, as though vicioufly, and it flies like a Shot, being at leaft Five
Ounces and a Half in Weight, and hard as a Block. I faw it ftrike one of the Bat men on the
Knuckles, who Danced and (hook his Fift, as methought well he might. But to fee how handy
fome did catch it, though knocked off the Bat by a ftrong Man with all his Force ; albeit now
and then they milling it, and (truck by it on the I lead, or in the Mouth, and how any one can
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
learn to play Cricket without lofing his front Teeth is a Wonder. The Spectators fitting on
Benches in a Circle, at a Diftance, and out of the Way of the Ball, which was wife ; but fome
on a raifed Stand, and others afide at Tables, under a Row of Trees near a Tavern within the
Grounds, with Pipes and Beer ; and many in the Circle alfo Smoking and Drinking, and the
Drawers continually going the Round of them to ferve them Liquor and Tobacco. But all as
quiet as a Quaker's Meeting, except when a good Hit made, or a Player bowled out, and ftrange
to fee how grave and folemn they looked, as if the Sight of Men in white Clothes, knocking a
Ball about, were Something ferious to think on. Did hear that many had Wagers on the Game,
but doubt it, for methinks there had been more Livelinefs if much Betting, and Chance of winning
or lofing Money. The Company very numerous, and among them fome in Carriages, and was
glad to fee fo many People diverted, although at what I could not tell. But they enjoyed them-
felves in their Way, whatever that was, and I in mine, thinking how droll they looked, fo earneftly
attending to a mere Show of Dexterity. I, for my Part, foon out of Patience with the Length
of the Innings, and the Stopping and Interruption after each Run, and fo away, more tired, I am
fure, than any of the Cricketers. Yet I do take Pride, as an Englifhman, in our Country Sport
of Cricket, albeit I do not care to watch it playing ; and certainly it is a manly Game, throwing
open the Cheft, and ftrengthening the Limbs, and the Player fo often in Danger of being hit
by the Ball.
|V|annfrs and Customs of >a En&lyshe: !N 1849. ^ |g
WW
iTOTUUU VU o u u u u u U U U Wl i\AA
The Flower. Shpwe at ChYSYK .Gardens.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
The Flower Showe at Chvsvk Gardens.
[Saturday, June 9, 1849.]
MY Wife holding me to my Promife to take her to the Chifwick Flower Show, and I
could not break it : for certainly the poor Wretch do drudge in the Houfe like a
Slave ; and fo often as I go out for Pleafure myfelf, methinks it were well to give her
a Treat now and then, to eafe my Confcience, and keep her quiet alfo. So took her, though
our two Tickets together came to 10/., and we thither in an Omnibus, and the Fart doubled
on the Occafion, inftead of is. coft me 2s. more, which made me mad. A rare Sight, nigh the
Gardens, to look out on the Line of Carriages behind us, and methought how mean and paltry
it feemed to be riding in an Omnibus ; and was in fome Trouble left any of our acquaintance
mould be in the Carriages, and fee us 'light. At the Tallage to the Gardens befet by bellows
with Shoe-Brufhes and Clothes-Brumes, importunate to brum my Coat and Boots, that were
clean enough, but only to earn 4^. or 6d. Our Tickets delivered, and we into the Grounds
with a Stream of Company, and followed them and our Ears to a Band of Mufique, the Horfe
Guards playing hard by a Grove of Rhododendrons in full Bloom, and a Mob of Beauties
round about them more blooming Itill. Heard a Medley-Piece of Scraps of moll of the Operas
that I knew; which was better Mufique than 1 expected. Then to the Tents, where the I'rize-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Flowers are fhown, on high Stands as long as a moderate-sized Barn : and there a pretty Difplay
of Orchids, Azaleas, Cactufes, Pelargoniums, and Heaths, very rare and curious, and a few
choice Rofes ; but I expected to fee Rofes as big as Cabbages. Many of the Flowers finely
variegated, and giving forth a Perfume fweeter than Atkinson his mop. Strange how to fome
of the Pelargoniums were given the names of Grisi, Alboni, Mario, and other Opera Singers :
and Mr. Wagstaffe do fay it is Mufique in a Flower-Pot. After feeing the Flowers, to ftroll
about the Walks and among the Trees, and view the Flowers without Stalks, which I do admire
mod of all, and a brave Show they were, dreft out in their gayeft, and fmiling as if refolved to
look as pretty as they could ; and looking all the brighter for the Sun mining without a Cloud
to be Cecn : whereby out of Pain for my Wife's pink Bonnet, which, if fpoiled by the Rain unial
at this Show, had been £2 is. gone. The Bands from Time to Time beat a March about the
Garden ; when to fee the fine Ladies and Gentlemen follow at the Soldiers' Heels, natural as
ragged Street-Children ! At laft all played together, and ended with God Save the Queen ; when
the Flowers wheeled away. But the Company remaining, fome fitting on Benches to make a
Lane, and the Reft of the Multitude walking up and down to be feen, and the Beauties fhowing
off their Graces, which I did infpect from Head to Foot. My Wife beginning to admire a
certain Satin ; fo knowing what this fignified, away, and home to a Leg of Mutton ; thinking of
the State of the Nation, which mould not be fo mighty gloomy to judge of it by Chifwick Flower
Show, and wondering how much all the Finery there colt, and where all the Money could have
come from.
Mannehs-and.CvStoms.of-* ENGLYSHEiN'1549- N°.I9,
>AR/W|WAVE- MeETYnGE- L>C5IYOM'OF "^ARErjOLDERCS AT )» /VJNOVMCEM&NTE OFA-DWIDENDE rr 2^ '/a
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Raylwaye Meetynge. Emotyon of ye Shareholderes at ye Annovncemente of
a Dividende of id.Vi.
[Monday, July i, 1849.]
GOMES Mr. Stagge to take me to the great Railway Meeting at the London Tavern ;
and we up the Back Stairs to the Platform among the Directors, and glad of fo good a
Place; but fearing to be taken for one of my Company, did get behind a fat Man to
hide myfclf. The Shareholders below met to hear their Affairs debated, and what a Colledion
of wry and doleful faces ! Methought the poor anxious Parfons and eager Halt-pay Officers
among them was a pitiful Sight. Looked hard about for the Railway King, but Mr. Stagce
did fay in my Ear he was not likely to (how his Face. The Secretary reading Bills to be brought
into the Parliament to join other Railways with this, and all the while interrupted by the Share-
holders with Noife and Outcries ; but at laft got through. Then the Chairman did propofe that
the Bills be approved of; but an Amendment moved with much Clapping of Hands that the
Meeting do adjourn for one Month to examine the Company's Accounts ; which they do fay
have been cooked. Upon this a long Speech from a Director, denying that it was fo, and One
made anfwer to him in a bouncing, ranting Harangue ; but to hear how the Shareholders did
fhout and cheer whenever he accufed the Board of a Piece of Roguery ! He complained that
Proxy Papers had been fent out by fome for Votes, whereby to gain their own Ends at £900
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Expenfe to the Company ; whereat more Uproar, in the midft whereof he moved another Amend-
ment; when the Noife greater than ever, with Groans and calling for Dividends; and feveral in the
Meeting ftrove to fpeak, but could only wag their Jaws and make their Fifts at the Chairman,
and he imploring Quiet in Dumb Show. Howbeit, one old Gentleman got Attention for a
Moment, and in great Wrath and Choler did declare that the Directors' Statement was all
Humbug. Then Another with much ado to get a Hearing, did move a third Amendment :
and after that, more Wrangling and Jangling, until the only Man of any Brains I had yet
heard, up and mowed the folly of moving Amendment on Amendment. So the firft and laft
Amendment withdrawn, and the fecond put to the Vote, and loft, and then the Chairman's
Refolution put and loft alfo, and the Shareholders hooting and hifling, and ftiouting " Shame!"
and crying that they could not underftand the Queftion. So the Amendment and former
Refolution both put over again, and both again loft ; whereupon the Shareholders ftark mad,
and rufticd in a Mob on the Platform, raving at the Chairman, who jumped up in his Chair,
throwing his Arms abroad, and fhrieking for Silence ; till at laft a Poll determined on to decide
whether for Adjournment or not ; and fo the Meeting brought to an End in as great a Hurly-
Burly as I ever heard, and a pretty Chairman methinks they have to keep Order, and brave
Directors to cook their Accounts, and their Meetings do feem as confufed as their Affairs ; and
thank my Stars, I have not funk my Money in a Railway.
Manners- and- CvstomS of-> JiNGtffSHE.iN 1&4-9- N? 20.
^JpRDSflttT- CF * -THArMES- ITS^R.EGATTA
MR. PIPS HIS DIslRY
A Prospect of ye Thames its Regatta.
[Tuesday, July 10, 1849.]
Wife and cver>- Body fay
I NT my Vert to the Tailor's to be let out in the Back, and my
I crow too (tout, which do put me in mighty Pain left I mould
I grow
_ ftout, which do put me in mighty Pain left I mould lofe my Shape; wherefore
- I have rcfolved to take a long Walk daily, for Exercife, to bring down my Fat So began
this Day, and fet out to walk to Barn-Elms, by the way of 1 lammerfinith, on a brave melting
kftemoon. I did mufe at the Carriages and Omnibufes that parted me, crowded both in fide
and on the Roof, and the 1'eople upon them whooping and blowing Horns as the Bnti.h
Public always do when they ride to fee any Sport. At Hammerfmith found what all this
meant, everyone there haftening to the River, this being the firft Day of the 1 hames Regatta,
and the Sufpenfion-Bridge thronged, and Feftoons of Spectators on the Chains. Did go upon
the Bridge, coft me \d. Toll, but would not have miffed the Sight for 6J. or , ,. ; tor the 1 hames
with Boats fcattered all over it, their Flags fluttering, and their Crews mouting and laughing foil
of Fun and Glee, made a lively Pifture; and alio 1 wasjufl in the Nick ot Time to fee
four Boats of as many Oars darting under the Bridge at foil Speed, while the Beholders cheered
and halloed with all their Might, and a Bell rung, and a Band of Mufique upon the Br,
did play « Love Not." Good Eack ! how wrapped up the People did feem to be m the Race;
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
and did now cry for Blue to go it ; and then Red, and then Pink, and at laft that Red had it,
meaning the Colours of the Rowers, which indeed looked very fmart and fpruce. Over the Bridge,
and, inftead of to Barnes, down the River, along the Towing Path, which was alfo thronged with
Folks running to and fro, all Eagernefs and Buftle. So to Putney, and there the Multitude
greateft both on the Bridge and the Shore, and Finch his Ground to the Water-Side quite a
Fair, with Fat Ladies and Learned Pigs and Gilt Gingerbread ; and his Tavern befet by
Cuftomers for Ale, and mighty good Ale it is. Here more Boat-Racing, with Firing of Cannon,
Jollity, Shouting, Jangling of Street Pianos, and everywhere Tobacco-Smoke and the Popping
of Ginger-Beer. Some fouling of Barges, but no worfe Mifhap, though I expected every Moment
that Somebody would be ducked. Methought how neat and dainty the light Wherries and Wager-
Boats did look among the other Craft ; but loth I mould be to truft my Carcafe in a Cockle-Shell,
that fitting an Inch too much on one Side would overthrow. Mighty pleafant alfo to behold on
the Water the little Parties of Beauties, rowed by their Sweethearts, under Awnings to (hade
them from the Sun, and the Ripple on the Water, and the Smiles on their Faces, and to hear
their Giggling, which was a pretty Noife. Afloat everywhere in their Boating-Trim I did note
fundry of thofe young Sparks that do and think and talk of Nothing but pulling up the River,
and live upon it almoft, like Swans or Geefe ; and Mr. Wagstaffe, whom I met, do fay they
have no Brains in their Skulls. But, however, that Boat-Racing is a true Britim Paftime, and
fo long as we pull together he will back us againft all the World. " And talking of that," fays
he, " the Sport being ended, fuppofe we take a Pull at fome of Finch his Ale;" which we did
with great Content and fo Home.
Manners- and- Cvstoms- of y« ENCLYshe- i^. (849- N° 2.1
^•Raylway Stat yon. ShowvN&c y Praveller-s . Kexkxshynge- twem selves.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
\ R V1.WAV Statvon. Showynge ve Travellers Refreshvnge Themselves.
\Tuefday, July ji, 1849.]
PREVAILED upon by my Wife to carry her to Bath, as lhe laid, to go fee her Aunt
Dorothy, but I know (he looked more to the Pleafure of her Trip than any Thing ell'e ;
nevertheless I do think it neceflary Policy to keep in with her Aunt, who is an
and hath a pretty Fortune ; and to fee what Court and Attention I pay her though I do not
care ;,/. about her! But am mightily troubled to know whether (he hath funk her Money in an
Annuity, which makes me fomewhat uneafy at the Charge ot" our Journey, tor what with bare,
Cab Hire, and Vails to Dorothy's Servants for their good Word, it did colt me alb
lo the Great Weftern Station in a Cab, by Keafon of our Luggage; for my Wife
mult needs take fo many Trunks and Bandboxes, as is always the Way with Women: or ell'e
we might have gone there for is. 6d. lefs in an Omnibus. Did take our Places in the 1-irit
Clafs notwithftanding the Expenfe, preferring both the Seats and the Company; and alio b
if any Necks or Limbs are broken I note it is generally in the Second and Third t
fettled, and the Carriage- Doors (lammed to, and the Bell rung, the Train with a Whittle off like
a Shot, and in the Carriage with me and my Wife a mighty pretty Lady, a Frenchwoman, and
I did begin to talk French with her, which my Wife do not well understand, and by and by did
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
find the Air too much for her where me was fitting, and would come and take her Seat between
us ; I know, on Purpofe. So fell a reading the Times, till One got in at Hanwell who feemed to
be a Phyfician, and mighty pretty Difcourfe with him touching the Manner of treating Madmen
and Lunatics, which is now by gentle Management, and is a great Improvement on the old Plan
of Chains and the Whip. Alfo of the Foulncfs of London for Want of fit Drainage, and how
it do breed Cholera and Typhus, as fure as rotten Cheefe do Mites, and of the horrid Folly of
making a great Gutter of the River. So to Swindon Station, where the Train do flop ten
Minutes for Refreshment, and there my Wife hungry, and I too with a good Appetite, notwith-
standing the Difcourfe about London Filth. So we out, and to the Refreihment-Room with a
Crowd of PafTcngers, all pufhing, and joftling, and trampling on each others' Toes, ftriving
which mould get ferved firft. With much Ado got a Bafin of Soup for my Wife, and for
myfelf a Veal and Ham Pie, and to- fee me looking at my Watch and taking a Mouthful by
Turns ; and how I did gulp a Glafs of Guinness his Stout ! Before we had half finiihed, the
Guard rang the Bell, and my Wife with a Start, did fpill her Soup over her Drefs, and was
obliged to leave Half of it ; and to think how ridiculous I looked, fcampering back to the Train
with my Meat-Pie in my Mouth ! To run hurry-fkurry at the Sound of a Bell, do feem only
fit for a Gang of Workmen ; and the Buftle of Railways do deftroy all the Dignity- of Travelling;
but the World altogether is lefs grand, and do go falter than formerly. Off again, and to the
End of our Journey, troubled at the Soup on my Wife's Drefs, but thankful I had got my
Change, and not left it behind me at the Swindon Station.
Manners. -and CvSTOMs-or7e^EN6LVSHE.iN|849 N° 22-
'BRmSH-G/^AUERVA-MOVNTVNGE-GVARD At SrlAMES.fM PalaCC Ya(?dc
MR. PIPS HIS DL1RT.
Ye Brytysh Granadiers a Movntvnge Gvard at St. Iames Hi Pai i Y-,kdk.
{IVednefday, Auguft i, 1849.]
UP mighty betimes, and after a tour Miles' Walk, loling Weight like a Jockey, to the
Palace Yard of St. James's Palace, to lee the Soldiers mount Guard to guard the QjJEEN,
which they do every Morning whether fhe is there or no, and is a pretty pompous
Ceremony. Found myfelf among as dirty fhabby a Set of Fellows hanging about as I think
I ever law, with whom two or three with the Look of Gentlemen, and a pretty Sprinkling of
Milliner Girls and Xurle-Maids, but they presently away from the Ragamuffins to the Eafl Side
of the Yard, and lb did I. Strange how all Women almoft do run after Soldiers ; which
Mr. Pumpkyns do lay is becaufe Weaknefs do, by Inrtinct, leek the Protection of Courage;
hut I think is owing to Nothing at all but the Bravery of a Red Coat. In a few Minutes more
RifF-RafF pouring in ; then a Xoife without of drumming : and then juft at (to 1 1, a Part)
of the Grenadier Guards marching in under the Clock-Tower, the Drums and Fifes in Front of
them, and, at the I lead of all, the Drum Major, twirling his Staff, ftrutted like a Pouter-Pigeon, as
ibtely, almolt, as ever 1 saw J. Bi \\i>. 1 he Men at the Word of Command ground Arms
with a Clang, and Hood at F.afe in Lines, and together with the Spectators made a Square, with
the Drums and Fifes at one End, and the Band at the other by the Clock Tower, and a Port
in the Middle, and around the Port, with the Colours, the Officers in full Figg, mighty trim ;
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
and Mr. Wagstaffe do tell me that the Guards have brave clothing Colonels. The Band did
play while the Men that fhould relieve Guard were marching off; and I do mufe why Soldiers
are provided with (o much Mufique, and conclude it is to hinder them from thinking, and alfo
in Battle to inflame their Minds without making them drunk, which Nothing that I know can do
equal to Musique except Love. At five Minutes to the Hour comes the relieved Guard, and
draws up ready to be marched away, and to fee them backing for Room on the Crowd's Toes !
Droll, alfo, to watch the Marfhalman, in his grand Uniform and with his Staff of Office, going
about to make Space and keep Order among the ragged Boys ; and I remember how, in my
Youth, I thought he was a General Officer. More Musique, in the Meanwhile, by the Band ;
the Band-Mafter, a rare plump Fellow, in goodly Condition, conducting, with a Clarionet for his
Batoon. Suddenly the Mufique cut fhort by the Drums and Fifes, the Word given, and the
Men did fall in, and away to Barracks, a Grand March playing, and all the Tag-Rag at their
Heels. But to fee the Lieutenant, the Officer of the Day, fet up the Colours on the Port, and
touch his Cap and kifs his Sword to them, faluting them, which do feem a fenfelefs Pantomime,
and look more like a Chinefe with his Jofs, than a Chriftian. Befides, the Flag, a mod old and
forry one, blown into Tatters, which, in our long Peace, muft have been done by the Breeze and
not the Battle ; but fo left, with a Grenadier to guard it, flicking in the Poft. Then the
Officer did difmifs the Off Guard, and away to his Quarters for the Day ; but am told he may go
to and fro the Guards' Club Houfe, which being moved from the Top of St. James's Street to
nigh Marlborough Houfe, he is fpared now the Fatigue of marching up Hill. Methinks that
mounting Guard at the Palace is a Service of little Danger or Hardfhip ; and yet it do appear to
be a good Training for fighting Men ; and, good Lack ! to think what Fire-eaters in Battle are
the young Dandy Officers of the Guards, and how their Men will follow them through thick and
thin, and what Work those Fellows can do when called on, that play Soldiers about St. James's !
Manners./\Nd.Cvstoms."of>.EWglyshe.\n .1^49. N°23.
A ODE/V- CELLAR c .£)vPYf:G A -COMYCK. SONG-E
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Cydere Cellare Dvrvng a Comyck Sonce.
[Saturday, March 10, 1849.]
TO Drurv Lane this Evening, to fee the Horfemanfliip, winch did divert me mightily ;
but had rather it had been at Aftley's. After that, to Supper at the Cider Cellars in
Maiden Lane, wherein was much Company, great and fmall, and did call tor Kidneys
and Stout, then a fmall Glafs of Aqua-ViU and Water, and thereto a Cigar. While we tupped,
the Singers did entertain us with Glees and comical Ditties ; but Lack, to hear with how little W .t
;he young Sparks about Town are tickled ! But the Thing that did moll take me was to fee and hear
one Ross fing the Song of Sam Hall the Chimney-Sweep, going to be hanged: tor he had
begrimed his Muzzle to look unlhaven, and in rutty black Clothes, w.th a battered old Hat on
his Crown and a ftiort Pipe in his Mouth, did fit upon the Platform, leaning over the Back ot a
Chair : fo making believe that he was on his Way to Tyburn. And then he did fing to a difinal
Pfidm-Tune, how that his Name was Sam Hall, and that he had been a great Thief, and was now
about to pay for all with h.s Life ; and thereupon he fwore an Oath, which did make me fome-
what Oliver, though divers laughed at it. Then, in fo many Verfes, how his Mafter had badly
taught him and now he muft hang for it ; how he should ride up Holborn Hill in a Cart, and
theSheriffi would come and preach to him, and after them would come the Hangman; and at
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
the End of each Verfe he did repeat his Oath. Laft of all, how that he fhould go up to the
Gallows ; and defired the Prayers of his Audience, and ended by curfing them all round.
Methinks it had been a Sermon to a Rogue to hear him, and I wim it may have done good to
fome of the Company. Yet was his curfing very horrible, albeit to not a few it feemed a high
Joke ; but I do doubt that they underftood the Song. After Sam Hall, to pay for my Supper,
which coft me is. id., befides 4^., to the Waiter ; and then Home in a Cab, it being late, and I
fearing to anger my Wife, which coft me is. more ; but I grudged not the Money, having been
much diverted, and fo to Bed.
f^ANNEP_$ AND CVSTOMS of » ENGLYSHE -IN 1849 • [\J° 2^.
Regent e-stp-ete- >*t povr. of> clocks . p.m.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Regente Strete at Fovr of vi: Clocke, P.M.
[Thurfday, /iugufi 16, 1849.]
THIS Afternoon, about four of the Clock, did walk in Regent Street, with much Delight.
In the Evening to the Oueen's Houfe in the Haymarket, to hear Mozart his famous
Opera " Le Nozze di Figaro" and Sontac in Sufanna, which (he do act mighty fkittifh,
and with the prettieft fidelong Looks, but the mod graceful and like a Lady, and do trip the
Stage the daintieft, and make the niceft Curtfies, and fing the fweeteft that methinks I ever did
hear or fee : and to think that Mr. Vieuxboys fhould tell me (he do it as well now as he did fee
her twenty Years ago! Pretty, to hear her ring " Venite, inginocchiatevi" where fhe do make
Cherubim kneel down on the Cufhion before the Countefs, and put him on a Girl's Cap, and pat
his Chin and Face. Alfo her ringing of " Suit Aria" with PaRODI, the Countefs, dictating the
Letter to her; and Parodi did fing well too, and the mingling of their Voices very muficall.
I.ikewife that jolly blooming (he-BACCHUS Ai.boni, who was Cherubim, with her paflionate fine
finging of " N011 Jo pi&" and " Voi chejapete" and all her finging, did delight me much ; and fhe
.lid play a Stripling of a Page in Love to the vers Life. BELLETTI did mightily rake me with
his Knaveries, in Figaro, and finging of " Nun pi a andrai" which is a moll lively and martial
Song; and the Grand March very brave as well, and did make my Heart leap, and me almort
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
to jump out of my Seat. Colletti, too, the Count, did content me much, and to the utmoft with
" Crudel ! perchd finora." But then to hear Lablache, what a great Thing he do make out of
fo fmall a Part as Bartolo, with his Voice in the Concert-Pieces heard above all the Reft, and
thundering out " La Vendetta," like a muficall Stentor ; and his undertaking of little Characters
to make an Opera perfect is very magnanimous; and Mr. Wagstaffe do well fay that he
" Ingentes Animas ingenti in Peftore verfat," and have as much Brains as Body. Mighty droll to
hear the Cjuartett, with each Singer in Turn holding the Voice on the word " Io," called for three
Times, and the Singers each Time fpinning " Io" out longer, whereat great Laughter ; and the
Performers laughing as much as the Audience. Wonderfull how ftill all the Houfe was while
Sontag was a finging of " Deh ! vieni non tardar," and the Bravas and Clapping of Hands when
me had ended ; and what did as much as any Thing pleafe me in her Singing was to hear how ftie
did ftick to the Text, and not, like a vulgar filly Prima Donna, disfigure noble Mufique by
ridiculous Flourifhes. The Houfe extraordinary full, though the Seafon over ; and to compare
the fine Foreheads and Faces of an Audience come to hear good Mufique with the infignificant
Looks of mere common Opera-Goers ! Methinks I could never hear Figaro often enough ; the
Overture being fuch pretty Fiddling, and all the Mufique fo beautiful, and heavenly almoft, with
fcveral of the Airs as innocent and angelicall as Hymns ; but to think that all thefe Pearls are
ftrung on fo vile a Thread ; the Intrigues and Trickery between a Count and Countefs, with a
Waiting-Woman, a Page, and a Lackey : a Story that do feem to have been hatched in a Servants'
Hall ! The Ballet after the Opera pretty, and a Scene of Skating on the Ice, very natural, did
end with the Skaters pelting each other with Snowballs, and look pleafant and cool this hot
Weather. Home to Supper, it being late, though, walking up the Haymarket, did forely long
for ftcwed Oyfters. Telling my Wife of the Opera, did fpeak of Stifanna boxing Figaro his
Ears, and let out that I could have been glad to have her box mine too, which my Wife did fay
ftie could do as well if I pleafed ; but I faid I had rather not, and fo, whittling " Non piU andrai"
rather fmall, to Bed.
j^ANNER.s- AND- OSTOIiS- OF > ENSLYSHE IN 184-9 ■ Mc 2 5.
W- SPORJ- OF ■ PVNTe h rSHVf-JGE OFF KYCH IMONDC.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Sport of Pvnti Fyshynce oft RychmonDB.
[WedneJJay, Auguft 2:, 1049.]
THIS Day to Richmond, to go a Fifhing on the River, which Larkyns do tell me is
rare Sport, and with me Mr. Itchenbrooke, out of Hampfhire, a cunning Angler,
who did mightily defire to fee what this Sport mould be. So firft we out in a Boat
below Richmond Bridge, where a Dozen or more of Punts full of People a Fifhing, and rowed
among them to obferve the Manner of doing it, which is finking with a Gentle, fitting upon
Chairs, and fmoking Cigars and Pipes of Tobacco, and drinking cold Brandy and Water, and
did move Mr. Itchenbrooke to Laughter. We did note one young Spark lying at full
Length, in a Punt's End, afleep, and did conclude he had had enough of the Fifhing, or elfe
of the Brandy and Water. Some very Blent, and bent on their Sport, but others bandying
Fun and Jokes, and fhouting for Joy and Merriment whenever they caught a Fiih, which
Mr. Itchenbrooke do fay is not the Wont of a Sportfman. Among the Fifhers I did note
with Wonder one or two Damfels ; but Mr. Wacstaffe do fay it is a common Thing for
Ladies to fifh for Gudgeons. Several of them alfo quite old Men ; but feeming as much taken
up with their Fiming as Schoolboys, though catching Nothing but little Fiih not a Span long.
So, fatisfied with looking at the Sportfmen, we to try the Quality of the Sport ourfelves, and did
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
hire a Punt, and Fifhing Tackle, and a Man to guide the Punt, and bait our Hooks, and did
take on board a Stone-Bottle of Half-and-Half Beer, to follow the Fafhion. Pretty, to fee our
Man found the Depth of the River with a Plumb, to refolve whereabouts on our Lines to place
the Float, and glad to have him to put the Bait on, being Gentles, which I was loath to touch.
Our Hooks no fooner dropped into the Water than Mr. Itchenbrooke did pull up a Fifh about
the Bignefs of a Sprat, though, but for the Punt-Man, he would have thrown it in again, faying
that he never heard of keeping any Fiih under Half-a-Pound, and that while fuch fmall Fry
were killed there would be no good Fiih in the River. But Lack ! to fee how my Float did bob
up and down, and I jerk at my Line, but generally bring up a Weed. Did marvel at the Punt-
Man flinging Lumps of Earth and Meal into the Water to entice the Fiih, which methought
would either have driven them away or surfeited them, but did not, and the Trick did much
divert Mr. Itchenbrooke. We did catch Roach and Dace to the Number of fifteen, which
my Companion did call feven Brace-and-a-Half ; and I caught the Half: I mean the Half-Brace.
Our Fifhing did laft two Hours, coft 3/., and 6d. befides for the Beer, but we had much Mirth
for our Time and Money, though little Fiih, and yet more Fiih than fome our Man did fhow
us, faying they had been at it all the Day. So to Dinner at the Star and Garter, where a moft brave
Dinner and excellent Wine, and pretty Difcourfe with Mr. Itchenbrooke of true Sport in
Fifhing and the Art of Whipping for Trout with an Imitation Fly, made out of coloured Silk
Thread and Birds' Feathers, which I do mightily admire, and intend to practife if ever I have
Nothing elfe to do. But methinks I could catch more Fifh in a Thames Punt, having only to
drop in my Hook and pull it out again. Our Dinner ended, coft me £\ gs. od., went and
bought 6d. worth of Maids of Honour at the Paftrycook's, and did take them Home to my
Wife.
Manner- and- CVSTOMS- or-;9. ENGi^SttE- in- I&49- Nc- 26.
BLACKWALL SHOWYUGE /"PVBLICK-ADINYNGC-on WftYTCBAI'
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Blackwall. Showynge ye Pvblick a Dinynce ox Whytebait.
{Saturday, Auguft i8, 1849.]
GOMES Mr. Gollope, this being his Birth-Day, to bid me to go dine with him and a
Company of Tome Half-dozen of our Acquaintance, off Whitebait at Blackwall. So
we firft to London Bridge, on Foot, walking for an Appetite, and there took Water,
and down the River in a Steam-Boat, with great Pleafure, enjoying the Breeze, and the View of
the Shipping, and alio the Profpcft of a good Dinner. Landed at the Pier, and as fart as we
could to Lovecrove's, where our Table engaged in the large Room. But good Lack ! to iee
the Fulncfs of the Place, every Table almoft crowded with eager Liters, and 1 leaps of Whitebait
among them, and they with open Mouths and Lyes /hovelling Spoonful after Spoonful into their
Plates and thence thrufting them five or fix at a Time into their Chaps. Then, here and there,
a fat Fellow, (topping, out of Breath, to put down his Knife and Fork, and gulp a Goblet of
iced Punch, was mighty droll : alfo to hear others fpeaking with their Mouths full. But Dinner
coming, I cared not to look about me, there being on Table fome dozen different Dimes of
him, whereof the Sight did at firrt bewilder me, like the Donkey between the I [ayftacks, not
knowing which to choofe ; and Mr. Gobblestone do lament that at a Feaft with Plenty of
Things he never was able to cat his Fill of every one. A Dilh of Salmon with India-
MR. PIPS HIS BURY.
Pickle did pleafe me mightily, alfo fome Eels, fpitchcocked, and a ftewed Carp, and ate heartily of
them with much Relifh ; but did only nibble at the Reft by way of a Tafte, for I felt exceeding
full, and methought I fhould have no Stomach for the Whitebait. But Lack ! to fee 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 Fifti comes
a Courfe of Ducks, and a Haunch of Mutton, and divers made Difhes ; and then Tarts and
Cuftards and Groufe ; and laftly, a Deflert, 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 fat, at the Craft and the White Sails in the Sunfet
on the River. Back in a Railway Carriage, ftiouting and finging, and in a Cab Home, where
Dr. Sharpe called to fee my Wife for her Vapours. Pretty Difcourfe with him touching the
Epidemic, he telling me that of all Things to bring it on the likelieft was Excefs in Food and
Drink, which did trouble me, and fo with a Draught of Soda and a Dofe of Pills to Bed.
Manner- and- Cvstoms- of> EnGlyshe:- in 184-9- N°- 27.
W>ERpR.S-
M adame-TvssaVj^ Hpr- Wax-We fiKEs y Ch a mbff^ o r . H o radR^>
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Madame Tvssavd her Wax Werkes. Ye Chamber of Horrors!!
\WcdncJday ', September 5, 1849.]
TO pleafe my Wife, did take her this Evening to Madame Tussaud her Wax Works;
a grand large Room, exceeding fine with Gilding, lighted up very fplendid, and full
of People, and a Band of Mufique playing as they walked about: colt 2/., and a
Catalogue 6d. The Wax Figures a patty Show : but with their painted Cheeks and glafTy
Eyes— efpecially fuch as nod and move— do look like Life in Death. The Dreflcs very
handfome, and I think, correct ; and the Sight of fo many People of Note in the Array of their
Time, did much delight me. Among the Company Numbers of Country Folk, and to fee how
they did dare at the Effigies of the Quebn, and the Prince, and the Dike of Wellington,
and the King of the Belgians, and the Princess Charlotte that was, and Georce the
Fourth in his Coronation Robes, magnificent as a Peacock ! The Catalogue do fay that his
Chair is the very one wherein he fat in the Abbey ; but how like a Play-Houfe Property it do
look, and little thought the King it would come down to figure in a Raree Show ! A Crowd of
Dames and Matrons gazing at the Group of the Royal Family, calling the Children " Dears"
and " Ducks," and would, I verily believe, have killed their Wax Chaps, if they had been
differed. My Wife feafting her Eyes on the little Princes and Princefles, I did fix mine upon a
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
pretty, modeft, black Maid befide me, and (he hers on me, till my Wife fpying us, did pinch me
with her Nails in the Arm. Pretty, to fee the Sovereign Allies in the laft War, and bluff old
Blucher, and Bonaparte and his Officers, in brave Poftures, but ftifF. Alfo the two King
Charleses, and Oliver, together; Charles the First protefting againft his Death- Warrant,
and his Son backing him; and Cardinal Wolsey looking on. Lord Byron in the Drefs of
a Greek Pirate, looking Daggers and Piftols, clofe to John Wesley preaching a Sermon, was
likewife mighty droll; and methought, if all Madame Tussaud's Figures were their Originals
inftead, what Ado there would be ! Many of the Faces that I knew by Recollection, or Pictures,
very like; and my Lord Brougham I did know directly, and Liston in Paul Pry. But
ftrange, among the Kings to fee him that was the Railway King ; and methinks that it were as
well now if he were melted up. Thence to the Napoleon Rooms, where Bonaparte's Coach,
and one of his Teeth, and other Reliques and Gimcracks of his, well enough to fee for fuch as
care about him a Button. Then to the Chamber of Horrors, which my Wife did long to fee
moft of all; coft, with the Napoleon Rooms, u. more; a Room like a Dungeon, where the
Head of Robespierre, and other Scoundrels of the great French Revolution, in Wax, as though
juft cut off, horrid ghaftly, and Plafter Carts of Fellows that have been hanged: but the chief
Attraction a Sort of Dock, wherein all the notorious Murderers of late Years; the foremoft of
all, Rush, according to the Bill, taken from Life at Norwich, which, feeing he was hanged
there, is an odd Phrafe. There was likewife a Model of Stanfield Hall, and Rush his Farm, as
though the Place were as famous as Waterloo. Methinks it is of ill Confequence that there
fhould be a Murderers' Corner, wherein a Villain may look to have his Figure put more certainly
than a Poet can to a Statue in the Abbey. So away again to the large Room, to look at Jenny
Lind inftead of Greenacre, and at 10 of the Clock Home, and fo to Bed, my Wife declaring
fhe fhould dream of the Chamber of Horrors.
JV^ANNEKS- AND-CVSTOMS ■ OF T ENGLYSf-f EKM849 ' iN°23
>im*xjc
"Deers5taukynge in ^Rvg^uandes
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Deere Stalkynce in ye Hyghlandes.
[Monday, September 17, 1849.]
GOMES Mr. Gollope, and Mr. Goblestone, and Jenkyns, to dine with me off a
Haunch of Venifon, and Mr. Mc. Nab calling, I did make him (lay Dinner too, and
the Venifon very fat and good ; and Mr. Gollope did commend my Carving, whereof
I was proud. Between them a Debate over our Dinner, as to whether the Red Deer or the Fallow
Deer were the better Venifon, and both Mr. Gollope and Mr. Goblestone do lay the I- allow,
but Mr. Mc. Nab will have it that the Red is by far the better, and do tell them they know
nothing about the Matter, and never tailed Red Deer but fuch as had been mewed up in
Richmond Park, which are mighty different from them that do browfe in the Highlands on the
Heather. He do fay that Highland Deer-Stalking do excel every other Sport, from Tiger-
Hunting to Fox-Hunting, which I mean to repeat to Mr. Cordvroys to make him mad.
Then he to defcribe the Manner of Stalking the Deer, and his Account thereof mighty taking
but, with his broad Scottim Accent and Phrafes, droll; and good Lack, to hear him talk ot
Braes, and Burns, and Cairns, and Corries, rattling the R in every Word! He fays that the
Deer are the cunningeft and the watchfulleft, and can fee, and hear, and fmell at the greatelt
Diftance of any Creature almoft living, and do keep Spies to look out, and their Lars and Lyes
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
always open and their Nofes to the Wind, and do think and reafon in their Minds like human
Beings ; which, methinks, is peculiar to the Scotch Deer. He fays that the Sport is to fetch a
Compafs on them by Stratagem, fo as to approach or drive them nigh enough to moot them with
a Rifle, and it do often take fome Hours and feveral Miles, moftly crawling on the Hands and
Knees, to get one Shot. He fays that the Stalker and Hill-Keepers that wait on him muft, to
gain their Chance, dodge, (looping behind Crags, wriggle and creep over Flats and up Brooks
like Snakes or Eels, clamber up and run down Precipices, and ftride over Bogs, wherein they do
fometimes fink plump up to the Middle ; which mould be rather Sport to the Stag than the
Huntfman. But after all, the Deer (hot dead, or wounded, and at Bay with the Hounds at his
Throat, but defpatched at laft, and paunched, which he do call " gralloched," is fuch a Triumph
that it do repay the Sportfman for all his Pains. He do fay that what with the Grandeur of the
Mountains, and the Fremnefs of the Air, the Spirits are raifed beyond what we could imagine,
and the Appetite alfo increafed wonderfully ; whereat Mr. Gollope did prick up his Ears. To
conclude, he did declare that no one could know what Deer-Stalking was that had not tried it ;
but methinks I can, remembering how I ufed in my Youth to creep in Ditches and behind
Hedges to (hoot Larks.
MWNER-S- AND- OsToMS ■ OP .>a • ENGLYSH EI- in • 184-9 • N°. 29-
JRj\©-&e- Rflp- AftB) • Co. § /i- and • MFgjCER
TCflPvYFYCK
5ACKYPYCE
Cash. Cash .Cash
AwFvL
BajntKkvptcye
E-VEKTHYNGe: To 8e
-SOLD
Trvcks of >'g London -Trad el-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Trycks of Ye London Trade.
[Tue/Jay, September 4, 1849.]
WITH my Wife this day to Weftminftcr, and walking thereabouts in Regent-Street
and Oxford-Street, and the principal Streets, though contrary to my Refolution to
walk with her only in the Fields, but did it to pleafe her, and keep her in good
Humour, but in mighty Fear of what it might coft me, trembling to obfervc her continually
looking afkance at the Shop- Windows. But I cannot wonder that they did catch her lye;
particularly the Habcrdaftiers, and Drapers, and Mercers, whereof many were full of Bills, ftuck
in all Manner of Ways acrofs the Panes, and printed in Letters of from two Inches to a Span
long, and Dafhcs of Admiration two and three together, as ftaring as a Notice of Hue and Cry.
Mighty mocking to read in one Window, of a "Tremendous Sacrifice!" in another ot an
" Alarming Failure ! ! ", in a third of a " Ruinous Bankruptcy ! ! ! ", by Reafon whereof, the
Goods within were a-felling off at 50, 60, or 70 per Cent under prime Coft, but that at any Rate
the Owners muft raife Money. Good Lack ! to think of the defperate and dreadful Pals the
Drapery Trade muft have come to ; fo many Mafter-Mercers and Habcrdafhers on the Threshold
of the Prifon or the Workhoufe, and their Wives and Families becoming Paupers on the Pariftl,
or Beggars, and their People out of Employ, ftarving ; if their Notices do tell true : which made
my Heart ake, I mean, through laughing at their Roguery. But my Wife did fay, very fenous,
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
that we were not to judge, or to know of their Tricks and Cozenage, and, that it was no Matter
to us if they did cheat their Creditors, provided we could buy their Wares at a Bargain, and
befides, if we did not, others would. So going by Ragge, Rip, & Co., their Eftablifhment, as
they do call their Shop, fhe would needs flop in Front of it to look in, and, I knew, confider
what among the Things there, fhe could find to want : which did trouble me. I to read the
Porters in the Window, which were the worft and moft pitiful of any, and by their mowing
Mr. Ragge, and Mr. Rip, and their Co. were going all together to the Dogs. My Wife did
prefendy, as I expected, find fomewhat fhe had a Mind to : a Muflin fhe did fay was Dirt-cheap,
and I knew was Dirt-worth. I plainly refufed to let her buy it, or anything elfe at Ragge and
Rip's, who have been, to my Knowledge, making a Tremendous Sacrifice any Time the lafl two
Years ; but the Simpletons their Cuftomers the only Victims. But I do not pity fuch Gudgeons
a Whit as are caught by thefe Tricks of the Drapery Trade; and methinks they are righdy ferved
by being cheated in feeking to profit, as they think, by Fraud and difhoneft Bankruptcy. I told my
Wife that Ragce and Rip do fell off at a Loss to none but thofe that deal with them, and were
like at that Moment, inftead of being Bankrupts, to be making merry at the Expenfe of their
Dupes. But fhe being fullen at my Denial of her Muflin, I did quiet her by the Promife of a
better Piece at Faircloth and Prvce's, who do carry on Bufinefs without roguifh Puffery, and
after the old Fafhion of Englifh Traders, according to the Maxim, that " Good Wine needs
no Bufh," which my Wife, poor filly Wretch, not underflanding, I explained to her did mean,
that Stuffs worth the buying, to find a Sale, do ftand in no Need of Haberdafhers' trickifh
Advertifements.
[ <]AN N EF^AM;; . C v'5T0 M 5 ' 0^ ^ ENIGUY 5H£- M ■ 1849 ■ N° 30-
-&--. ..
en ovta-SUvtynge:-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Partie of Sportsmen ovt a Shvtynge.
[Monday, October i, 1849.]
UP mighty betimes, and to Brufhwood for a Day's Shooting, by Invitation from
Mr. Tibbitts, whofe Father, the rich Furrier, did die the other Day, and leave him a
Fortune, and now he hath rented Brufhwood Manor to moot over for the Seafon. But
Lack, what a fet of young Rogues I found there of Tibbitts his Acquaintance, a-fmoking of
Cigars and fhort Pipes, and a-drinking of Ale and bottled Stout at 10 o'clock of the Morning!
Mighty amamed of, though diverted with, my Company, to hear their loofe and idle Convcr-
fation, and how none of them could pronounce the letter H, and to think what an unlettered
vulgar Fellow Tibbitts is, and that I fhould demean mylelf to aflbciate with fuch a Companion
only becaufe of his Riches, and Wine, and Dinners. One of the Party, WiGCYNS, did tell me
we mould have a prime Lark, which, this being the firft Day of Pheafant-Shooting, I did think
droll ; but divers Larks, indeed, were mot before the Day was over. So we into the Fields, and
a Keeper following us with the Dogs, and, whenever I did look over my Shoulder, did catch
him grinning and making Faces behind our Backs. But Itrange, to fee how much better the
Rogues did (hoot than I expeded, though firing at Tom-Tits, or anything almoft, and do
underirand they got this Skill at the Red Houfe, Batterfea, through popping at Pigeons and
MR. PIPS HIS BURY.
Sparrows let loofe from a Trap ; which do feem but a cruel and barbarous kind of Sport. But
little Birds were not all they fhot, for one Higces aiming at a Hare did mifs, and inftead of the
Hare hit one of the Dogges, and fent him yelping and limping Home. But good Lack, to fee
how carelefs the Fellows were with their Fire-Arms, carrying their Guns, full-cocked, pointing
right in one another's Faces, and one, dragging his Piece through a Hedge after him, it went off,
but finding it had only carried off the Skirt of his Shooting-Coat, we had a good Laugh of it.
Another, with a double-barrelled Gun, having fhot ofF one Barrel at a Blackbird, I did fee
reloading ; the other Barrel being ftill loaded and at full Cock. He, forcing down the Ramrod
with all his Might, I did catch him by the Elbow, and point to the Cock of the Gun, and
methinks I did never fee a Man on a Sudden tremble fo terribly, or grow fo pale. Getting
beyond Brufhwood, into a Field hard by, Mr. Wiggvns did let fly at fome Ducks, for one of
thofe Larks he had been talking of, which did bring down upon us the Farmer, with his Bull-
Dog, and caufe us to make off with all the Speed we could. I in mighty Dread of being feized
as an Accomplice in mooting the Duck, fearing the Farmer, who is horridly enraged with the
Game-Preferving at Brufhwood, for that the Game do eat up his Crops ; and, truly, the Game
Laws are a great Nuifance. Home from our Shooting, with our Bag, carried by Tibbitts his
Tiger-Boy, very full, with a Brace or two of Pheafants and Partridges, but many more Brace of
Chaffinches, and Yellow-Hammers, and Robin- Redbreafts, and fo to Dinner, where all very
merry, and fo to Bed.
Manner and- GVstoms-of^-ENG-LySHe.in-i&Q. n°.3|.
A^PPvOSPECT- OF-AKI ^LECTION-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY
A Prospect of an Election.
[Thurfday, September 27, 1849.]
UP, and by Railway with Mr. Wagstaffe to Guzzleford to myCosiN Pec her Wedding,
and did marvel to hear the Bells a ringing at 9 o'clock, the Marriage not to be till 1 1,
but found they were rung for an Election; 'Squire Callow and Mr. Fairport
llanding for County Members in the Room of Mr. Brownjohn. So, the Wedding over, and
the Bride and Bridegroom drunk, and Mr. Wagstaffe did fay, divers of the Company too, we
about the Town to fee the Fun. A Fellow the worfe for Beer demanding, as well as he could
fpeak, whofe Colours we wore, meaning our Wedding-Favours, Mr. Wagstaffe did pleafantly
anfwer, Hymen's, whereupon the Fellow, crying "Callow for ever ! " did rufh full at us, but,
we parting, flip between us and tumble headlong into the Mud. Good Lack ! to fee what
Numbers of Ragamuffins everywhere with their Hats awry, Nofes bleeding, or Eyes blacked,
ftaggering under huge Placard Boards, whereon, in great Letters, " Callow and Agriculture,"
or, " Vote for Fairport and Commerce ! " The Windows and Balconies full of Ladies, drefl
mighty fine, and fome pretty, to whom I did kifs my Hand, and am glad my Wife was not nigh
to fee me. But to think of the Ladies wearing the Colours of the Candidates, Blue and Yellow,
not caring a Pin what Politics cither Colour meant, but only for an F.xcufe to deck themfclves
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
out with Ribbons ! In the Streets, Horfemen did keep galloping to and fro, to tell the State of
the Polls, and the Mob cheering and bantering them, was mighty droll. 'Squire Callow did
put up at the Barley-Mow, and Mr. Fairport at the Rifing Sun over the Way, and between
the two Inns, with a few plump rofy Farmers in Top- Boots, was a noify Rabble, quarrelling and
fighting, with Skins unwarned, and unfhorn Muzzles, whom the Candidates' Committee-Men,
fpeaking to them from the Windows, did call Free and Independent Electors. To fome that
harangued them, the Mob did cry, " Go Home," and " Who cheated his Wafherwoman ? " or,
" How about the Workhoufe Beef? " yet liftened to a few that were familiar and cracked old
Jokes with them. Prefently they addrefled by the Candidates in Turn ; and nafty to fee them
pelt each Speaker with bad Eggs. But to hear, as well as might be for the Shouting and Hilling,
'Squire Callow promifing the Farmers to reftore the Corn Laws, and laying the Potato Blight
and late Sicknefs to Free Trade ; while Mr. Fairport did as loudly charge all the Woes and
Grievances of the Country on the Landlords. By-and-by, Mr. Fairport, the Poll going fo
much againft him, did give in, and then 'Squire Callow come forward, and make a brave Speech
about our Glorious Inftitutions and the Britifh Lion, and fo away to have his Election declared,
to the Town Hall, in a Carriage and Four, and the Rabblement after him. Then the Mob left
behind did fet to on both Sides to fling Stones, and 'Squire Callow's Party did break the
Windows of the Rifing Sun, and Mr. Fairport's the Windows of the Barley-Mow; which the
Townfmen did fay would be good for the Glaziers, and Mr. Wagstaffe do obferve that the
Confervative 'Squire Callow hath deftru<5tive Condiments. What with Publicans, and Lawyers,
and Damage, the Election will coft the Candidates £6000, or £7000 a-Piece, and to think what
a good Motive one muft have to become a Parliament-Man, that will fpend fo much Money for
the Chance of a Seat.
[^lAMEKS and CvSTOMS OF > ElMGLYSHE- in- 1849- K/°. 32,
YeVWtlE AVLTS- AT >' DOCKS 5H0WYN6E A PNVTYE TASTVNGE
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Ye Wyne Vavlts at ye Docks. Showynce a Partye Tastynge.
[Thurfday, Otlober n, 1849.]
TO the Docks, to meet Mr. Soker, and go over the Wine Vaults with a Tafting-Order,
and tafte the Wine there before it hath undergone any Roguery for the Market. Found
there Soker, and Mr. Wacstaffe, and Swilby, and Swype, and 5 or 6 more, and
with them Mr. Goodfellowe, who had gotten Soker the Order. Firft to the Quay, heaped
with Barrels of Wine, clofe as Pebbles on a Beach, and one huge Barrel, they did tell me,
holding 625 Gallons, and I wondering how it could have been hoifted aftiore, Mr. Wacstaffe
did fay, by an Adjutant, or Gigantic Crane. Then, through all Manner of Cafks and Tubs,
and Bales of Merchandife, to St. Katherine's Dock, and down to the Vault, where a Cooper
forthwith did wait on us with a Couple of Glaffes, and gave each Man a flat Stick with a Lamp
at the farther End, to fee our Way, and we looked like Goblins with Torches in a Pantomime.
The Vault almoft quite dark, only lighted by Sconces from the Roof, and the fartheft Sconce
looking Half-a-Mile off, and all this Space full of Barrels of Wine ! The Roof fupported by
Rows of Columns; and the Vault altogether like the Crypt of a Cathedral, but 20 times as big,
and more than 20 fweeter; the Air Gnelling of Wine very ftrong, which alone did make me feel
giddy. Strange to fee the Mildew hanging in all Sorts of Forms from the Roof, which many
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
do miftake for Cobwebs, but fome call Fungus, and Dr. Limbeck, the Chymift, do tell me is
moftly Nitrate of Lime. The Cooper did lead us to the Wine we were to tafte, and pretty to
fee him tap the Barrel by boring a Hole in it with a Gimlet. We did drink, all round, a good
Ale-glafs each of excellent Sherry, all except Mr. Goodfellowe ; and I did wonder to fee him
tafte the Wine, and call it rare good StufF, and yet fpit it out, but found by and by that he was
wife. Next, to the London Dock; and Mr. Goodfellowe did give us Bifcuit, and
recommend us to eat, and I did take his advice, and glad I did. Here, more Curiofities in
Mildew, hanging from the Roof; and one a Feftoon as big as the great Saufage in the Pork-
Shop at the Corner of Bow Street. A good Story from the Cooper, of a Vifiter that would
needs take a Specimen of the Mildew away, and put it in his Hat, and with the Moifture of his
Head, it melted and blackened his Face, and ferved him right, that— like more than enough
Sight-Seers— could not keep his Hands from Picking. To feveral Vaults, and tafted Wine in
each ; all very vaft, but the Eaft Vault the biggeft, and do contain more thoufand Pipes, and
cover more Acres than I doubt, by Reafon of the Wine I drunk, I can remember. After
rafting fo much, our Party very jolly and noify, and did begin to dance and fing, and flourifti
their Lamps like Playhoufe Devils ; and methought I did fee the Meaning of the Notice
outfide, that Ladies could not be admitted after i o'Clock. Coming into the open Air, our
Company could fcarcely ftand ; and Mr. Goodfellowe did fee them into two Cabs, and
I home on Foot — I fear not very ftraight — and my Wife wondering at the Rednefs of my Nofc.
Good Lack, to fee the Quantity of Goods and Wine in the Docks ; and to think what a great
and mighty Nation we are, and what Oceans of Liquor wc do fwill and guzzle !
[^ANNLR^-ANO- CVSTOMS OF-?* ETN'JLYSHE IN 1849 NJ 33.
>-A Wfddyn Ct e ■ 3PE=/\Kr/.,ST!
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Weddynge BrEAKFASTE.
[Monday, OZIober 22, 1849.]
UP, and to Church together with my Wife, to fee Pall Harlev married this Morning to
Dick Baker ; on both Sides mighty genteel People, and their Guerts, all except ourfelves,
fuch as they do call Carriage-Company. Pall, in a Drefs of White Satin, and Orange
Flowers in her Hair, very pretty and demure, and Dick, wearing a Sky-Blue Coat, Crimfon
Velvet Waiftcoat, Yellow Moleikin Trowfers, and Japanned Boots; with Lavender Kid Gloves,
and a Carbuncle in his Shirt- Front, a great Buck. Dick and every Man of us with great White
Favours at our Breafts, mighty confpicuous and, methought, abfurd, the Things ferving neither
for Ufe nor Ornament. But to fee how grand were old fat Mr. Harlev and Mr. Baker, and
how more grand were their fat Wives, and how fine and ferious they looked and how high they
carried their Notes ! And when the King was put on Pall's Finger (Dick firft having fumbled
for it in the wrong Pocket), her Mother did weep, and, falling for fupport on Mr. Harlev,
nigh overthrew him. But the pretty modeft Bridefmaids did molt of all take me; which my
Wife obferving, I faw, did trouble her. The Ceremony over, and the Fees paid, and the Bride
kifled by fome of the old Gentlemen, we to old Harleys to Break/aft, where what W yNs
do call a Grand Spread, very fine both for Show and Meats, every Dim ornamented with Flowers
MR. PIPS HIS BURY.
and Gimcracks, the cold Chickens trimmed with Ribbons, and the Bride-Cake, having upon it
Wax Cupids and Turtle-Doves, was pretty. So down we fat, Dick (tiff and fheepiih, and Pall
alfo, fhamefaced, and trying to hide her Blufhes with a Nofegay. Pall's Mother in Tears, and
her Father folemn, and th% Bridefmaids moftly bafhful, but a little black one that fate by me very
merry, and I did by-and-by pull Crackers with her, till my Wife fuddenly thruft a Pin into my
Arm, to the Quick. The Company firft filent, till a Friend of the young Pair, who did fay he
had known them both from Babies, did propofe their Health in a pretty pathetic but confufed
Speech, and breaking down in the Midft of a Sentence, conclude by wifhing them long Life and
Happinefs, with great Applaufe. Then the Bride-Groom to return Thanks, but, perplexed with
his Pronouns, obliged to (top mort too, but, he faid, overcome by his Feelings. The Champagne
flowing, we foon merrier, efpecially an old Uncle of Dick's who began to make Jokes, which
did trouble the Bride and Bride-Groom. But they prefently with much Crying and Kifling, and
Shaking of Hands, away in a Coach-and-Four, amid the Cheering of the Crowd in the Street and
the Boys fhouting to behold the fine Equipage ; and Servants and old Women looking on from
the oppofite Windows. We eating and drinking with great Delight till late in the Afternoon,
but at laft broke up, the Multitude faluting us each as we ftepped into the Street, and the
Policeman and Beadle that were guarding the Door in great State, touching their Hats. A grand
Marriage Breakfaft do give a brave Treat to the Mob, in Show, and to the Company in Eating
and Drinking, and is great Fun to all but thofe raoft concerned. But to think what a Fufs is
made about moft Marriages, and how little Reafon for it is fhown by moft People's married Life.
j^anmetks amd'Cvstoms of >s Emglyshe in \M9 ■ N° 34
tt/mh
/mm
(nkXM
. I
ATHETAUE- SHOWYNGC >8"HoVS£ AMVSCD ■6//' C'OHVCKe: ACToP.-
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Theatre, Showynge ye Hovse Amvsed by ye Comycke Actor.
[Friday, Otiober 26, 1849.]
TO the old Houfe in the Market, where I would fain have ken Macbeth, for the Acting
as well as the Divertifement ; but this not the Night, fo went Half-Price, and did fee
the Unpolijhed Gem inftead. Touchstone did play Brother Dick, a Country Clown,
and his Figure, in a Coat (hort in the Waift, a huge ftriped WaiAcoat, Troufers too big for him
tucked up at the Ankles, Hob-Nail Boots, and a great ill-maped Hat, mighty droll, and did
move the People to clap their Hands and laugh the Moment he come on the Stage. Then du\
he take off his Hat, and (how a red-cropped Head, and fmooth down his Hair, and make a
Face upon the Audience, whereat they did laugh again, and then turning round mow them a
Back View of himfelf, which made them laugh the more. Still greater Laughter the Moment
he opened his Mouth, and I did laugh too, as much as any, though I heard not what he la,d ;
but only for the Oddnefs of his Voice, which is fuch that methinks I could not keep my
Countenance to hear him, even if he were (peaking Hamlet. Mighty droll to fee him in a fine
Houfe make himfelf at Home after the Fafhion of a Bumpkin, and hear him in his ruftical
Drawl and Twang relate all the News and Tattle of his Village. What with his dodl
Gait, and Awkwardnels, and Independence, and Impudence, he did make, methmks, the veneft
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Lout I did ever fee, even in Hampshire. His politenefs even droller than his Rudenefs, and his
Ploughboy Courtefy of kiffing his Hand as comical as could be. But I know not well whether
I do more prefer his Cocknies or his Clowns ; for methinks I have feen him do a Snob as well as
a Clodpole, and he is very good in both, whether a ruftical Booby or a Whipperfnapper Spark ;
and do ufe V for W, and mifufe or drop his H, and talk the Flam and Cant of the Town
mighty natural. But to think how we Englim People do take Delight in everything that is
ridiculous; and how I have feen a Theatre ringing with Merriment at the Sight of Touchstone
in a Paper Cap and Apron, with a Baker's Tray, and a Bell, crying " Muffins !" or eating with
his Mouth full ; or even putting his Arms a-Kimbo, or pulling his Hat over his Eyes, and
fome of the Audience, and myfelf too, in Fits almoft with Laughter. Methinks that Foreigners
are wrong to fuppofe that we are a melancholy People, and would give up this Notion if they
could fee us at a broad Farce, and how eafily we are pleafed, and what Straws will tickle us
almoft to Death. Home, my Sides aching by Reafon of Touchstone's Drolleries, and truly he
do make a mighty excellent roguifti Buffoon. So to Bed mimicking Touchstone his Voice to
my Wife, which did divert her mightily.
MANMCl^-AND.CvSTOMS-OF.^.ENG-UYSMe-IN ■ I84-Q- n° 35.
AJJRoSPecte OF > <2oOLO£/C A L SOCIE Tvr ITS GA K DCNS . ^«TTCS£ *
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Prospecte of ye Zoological Societve its Gardens. Feedvnge ye Beasts.
[Monday, October 27, 1849.]
f — 1 — ^o the Zoological Gardens, in the Regent's Park, at 3 p. m., in Time to fee the Otter fed
with live Fifties, which he do chafe round his Bafin in the Water, and dive after mighty
1 :
clever. Then to the Wild Beafts, waiting for their Food in a terrible Rage, as I have
ken others than Wild Beafts at the Delay of Dinner. Some of the Dens with Trees lengthwife
in them for the Beafts to climb in ; and there Lions, old and young, Lionefses, He and She
Tigers, a Jaguar, an Ounce, a Cheetah, a Spotted and Black Leopard : and on the other fide
Hysnas, and Pumas, and more Leopards, and Bears. Their Yelling and Howling for Hunger
a moll: horrid Mufique, and terrible to fee the Tigers, rear on their hind Legs, and dafh at their
Bars, and grin and glare at the Children outfide. The Ramping and Roaring doubled when the
Keeper come with the Meat, and Lack ! how they did fly at it with Teeth and Claws, and howl
and fnort over it, and munch and crunch the Bones ! But one Hyena droll, the Keeper palling
him by, and he, thinking he was to go without his Meal, throwing himfelf on his Back, and
moaning, and almoft blubbering in Defpair. Pretty, to fee the Bears in their Fnclofure climb
up their Port for Buns ; which the Vifiters did hold to them on the End of a long Stick, and
thofe below fighting for the Morfels that fell ; and thur Clumfinefs, and awkward Standing on
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
their hind Legs, exceeding comical. The White Bear, alfo, fwimming in his Tank, pleafant,
being on the outfide of his Cage. Did note a fine old Wolf and Cubs, but fnarling and fnapping
over their Victuals, they feemed not a Happy Family. Saw the Manner of Preying of the Eagles
and Vultures, treading on their Meat, and tearing it up with their Beaks ; the Eagles brave, but
the Vultures bafe and ignoble. Yet fine the Sight of the Great Condor Vulture, when the Wind
blew, ftretching forth his huge Wings upon it ; and glad, no doubt, would have been to fail
away. The Parrots gay ; but do fo fhriek and fquall, that their Abode do feem the Madhoufe
of the Place. Much taken with the Seal fwimming in the Water, and waddling on his Stomach,
with his Tail and Flappers, like a Fellow with his Legs tied for a Wager. Diverted by the
Gambols and Antics of the Monkeys and Apes : yet almoft fick to fee fuch vile Likenefses of
ourfelves : and the Apes efpecially loathfome and ugly ; and to fee the Crowd of Women and
Ladies gazing at them ! With great Pleafure, yet Horror, did view the Snakes and Lizards in
the Reptile Houfe, and glad they could not get at me ; but hoped to fee the Boa Conftridor
fwallow a live Rabbit : but did not. Bought Gingerbread Nuts to feed the Elephant, coft me
id. and he did pleafe me, but I wifhed he had been bigger; but the Rhinoceros did give me great
Delight, and with Mirth heard a Countryman Handing by, call him the Hog in Armour. Well
contented alfo with the Bifon, that with his huge fhaggy Head and Mane, Horns, and fiery Eyes,
do look the moft like a Demon I ever did fee. To the Camel-Leopards, graceful Creatures ;
after the Bifon and Rhinoceros. Then about the Gardens to watch the People and the Children
ftare at, and feed and poke the Animals. Did mark fome pretty Damfels, but gazing fo intent
at the Beafts that I could hardly well gaze at them. So Home, and defcribed to my Wife what
I had feen, except the Damfels, and did difcourfe with her of Natural Hiftory ; which the
Zoological Gardens do breed a pretty Tafte for among the People.
|V)ANNEKS.AND-CVSTOiMS'OF > ENGLYSHE-in. 1849- |s|°. 36-
WeSTMINSTERJ^uLt- gnOVYHGE/CEHEMONY£-CF.OPENYN6E- TEK.ME.
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Westminster Hall, Showynge ve Ceremosve of Openynce Ter.me.
[Friday, November 2, 1849.]
UP, and by Appointment to Mr. Wagstaffe's, and fo with him to Wcftminfter Hall, to
fee my Lord Chancellor and the Judges, after Breakfaft with my Lord, this being
the firft Day of Michaelmas Term, open the Law Courts in State, in their Robes and
Wigs. We there at 12, the Hour fet for the Ceremony, but, we found, only for the Beginning
of it by Breakfaft, which had we thought of, we had taken our Time, as knowing that my
Lords would be fure to take theirs. Nobody in the Hall when we got there but a few Country
Folk ftaring about them; and clear that we mull have Patience, Mr. Wagstaffe did fay,
like many befide us in Weftminfter Hall, and think ourfelves lucky to be in no worfe Cafe. So
we went out to look at the New Houfes of Parliament, and to fee how the Mafons fpeed with
the Building, which will be mighty fine when it is done, and Mr. Transom do commend the
Style, and I admire it too, both for the Proportions and alfo for the Heraldry and Lions. Then
back again to the Hall, where now a few more People; and prcfently comes marching in a
Party of Policemen, large enough to have taken up all prefent, and yet hardly have had one
Prifoncr a-piece ; but the Numbers did by Degrees increafe, and were, I did note, moftly of the
better Sort; which the Police do explain. Among them divers Barrifters-at-Law, fome with
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
their Sifters, fome with their Wives, and others with fuch as did feem like to be their Wives,
many of whom mighty comely Damfels, that pleafed me, and were a Sight I never expected, not
thinking they could care for Law Matters, or to fee the Judges, id. ; but ftrange how Women
do flock to every Concourfe whether it be to fee or only to be feen. There for the firft Time
I did behold Mr. Tomkyns, the young Barrifter, in his Wig, wherein he do look mighty
fedate, and I telling him I hoped he would come to open Term himfelf, made Anfwer as it
might be fome while firft, he wifhed I might live to fee it. The People now crowding about the
Doors of the Courts, the Police did make a Lane between them for my Lord Chancellor
and the Judges to walk down, and Mr. Wacstaffe did call it Chancery Lane. My Lords
ftill not coming, he did obferve that now we had a Sample of the Law's Delay, and did
pleafantly lay the Latenefs of the Breakfaft to the Account of the Master of the Rolls.
But they at laft come, and we oppofite the Court of Common Pleas got a good View of them to
my Heart's Content. Firft comes the Mace, and a Gentleman in his Court Suit, wearing
a Sword and Bag, and with them the Great Seal; then my Lord Chancellor, and did walk
down to his Court at the End of the Hall, looking the better of his Sicknefs, which I was glad.
After him the other Judges, of whom moft did enter the Door whereby we were, and mighty
reverend they looked, but merry and in good Humour, and beamy and ruddy after their
Breakfaft. But to fee Mr. Justice Talfourd come laft of all, fhaking Hands with his
Friends on bcth Sides, he newly made a Judge, being a Poet, did moft content me ; and
Mr. Wacstaffe did fay he looked in good Cafe, and by no means puijne. The Judges all
entered, the Rabblement let into the Hall, and we away, fearing for our Pockets ; which in
Weftminfter Hall are like to be very foon emptied.
ftANNEipjS- AMD-CvsT0MS-0F/En6LYSHE|m-|84-9' N° 3/
"A^^specteof y 5th of November SxkrmzV GVYSV'
MR. PIPS HIS DlylRT.
A Prospecte of ye 5™ of November, Showvnce ye " Gvys."
[Monday, November 5, 1849.— Gay ^<vw^ Da?]
AT Breakfaft this Morning off a new-laid Egg, coft me id., but cheap for the Time ot
Year, did hear a mriil 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 this was Guy Fawkes his Day ; and did in Hafte fwallow my Breakfeft,
and put on my Boots and Over-Coat, and fo out and about the Streets and Squares to fee the
Sport, the Bells ringing for Church, and a Scarecrow of a Guy, borne by Urchins on a
Handbarrow, with Rough Mufique at almoft every Turn and Corner. Mighty Droll, Guy
Fawkes his Effigies, with his Fingers (licking out like Spikes, and his Feet all awry, his Body
and Limbs fluffed with Straw, a Mafk for his Face, with a Pipe in the Mouth, and a Lantern
and Tinder-Box dangling from his Wrift, and on his Head a Paper Cap, like an old Grenadier's,
but a Crofs on it, and meant for the POPE his Crown. 1 d.d remember the Mirth it ufed to be-
to behold Guy with his Company, borne by the Police in State to the Station Houfe, but they
this Year moftly let alone, and more Guys, and ragged Regiments of Boys ffiouting after them,
than ever I think I did before fee. The Yarlcts, as they went, repeating Doggrel Verfes,
bidding to remember the Day, and aflcing whomfoever they met for Money for a Bonfire to
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
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 becaufe of his
ridiculous Figure, and recollecting how I loved to play with Fireworks on this Day when a Boy ;
when I know what a Libel is the Holyday on the Roman Catholiques, and the good Reafon
there is, though the Doggrel fay to the contrary, why Gunpowder Treafon mould be forgot.
But fome I did note, who mould 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 Weftminfter, 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-houfe, coft me, with Beer and Punch, is. ; and
fo to Tower Hill, where the Banging and Blazing of the Fireworks the greateft of all ; and the
Roman Candles and Pin-wheels mighty pretty ; but fome letting off Guns and Piftols put me a
little in Fear. Here prefently I did hear a Popping and Cracking behind me; which was a
Cracker pinned by fome 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 fay, ferved me
right for countenancing fuch Doings. But to fee the Mob flinging Serpents at each other, and
burning and fingeing one another like Devils, did much divert me, till a Squib whizzing part: me
did fcorch me in the Face. Truly Guv Fawkes his Day this Time was mighty well kept, and
Mr. Howlett do rejoice in its better Obfervance, which he do tell me is a revival of Proteftant
Spirit; but I do agree with Mr. Wagstaffe that Proteftancy is not a Doftrine of Fireworks,
and muft own it were better to bury Guv Fawkes, and not burn him any more.
.^ANMLR^At^ CvSTOHS ■ OF /> ENGLYSHE- IN ■ 1849 • N° 3& ■
A wvtr smm^wmfmti m^S^^ m^DVLTV^u
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Banqvet Showvnge ye Farmers Friend Impressyngi on ve Acricvltvral
Interest that it is Rvined.
, November 19, 1849.]
BY Rail to Clod's Norton, to my old Country Friend Mr. Giles the Farmer, and with
him to the Meeting and yearly Dinner of the North Grantham Agricultural Society at
Grumbleton, at the Plantagenet Arms. A mighty fine and great Dinner ; and the
Appetite of the Company did do my Heart good to fee, and droll to hear Mr. Giles declare
that all the Farmers were ftarving. I did mightily admire the Breadth and Bignefs of the
Countrymen, and their round Faces like the Sign of the RifingSun, but not fo bright, for though
ruddy, looking grave and glum. My Lord Moi'Ntiushel in the Chair, very grand and. hi^'h
and mighty, yet gently demeaning himfelf, and did pledge them about him in Wine with an
Obeifance the moft ftately I think that I did ever fee a Man, and wi/h I could do like him, and
with Pradice hope to be able. The Dinner over, and the Qui 1 N drunk, and the Royal Family,
and alio the Church and Army and Navy all drunk, the Chairman did propofe the Toaft of the
Evening, which was, Profperity to the North Gruntham Agricultural Society, and made a Speech,
and did tell his Hearers that they and the whole {-'arming Body were going to the Dogs as fait as
they could go ; whereat, ftrange to hear them applaud mightily. I U i:\ukd his Speech by laying
he hoped Gentlemen would that Evening, according to Cuftom, keep clear of Politics, which
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Rule Squire Hawebucke next rifing to fpeak, did promife he would obferve, and forthwith
made a violent Harangue againft Sir Robert Peel and Mr. Cobden. After him got up
Mr. Flummerie, and with great Action, and thumping the Table, fpoke for Half-an-Hour, with
mod brave Flourifhes both of his Fifts and of Language. He did tell his Audience that they
muft be up and dirring, and quit them like good Men and true, and did exhort them to rally
round the Altar and Throne, and nail their Colours to the Maft, and range themfelves under the
Banner of Protection ; which he did fay was a Flag that had braved 1,000 Years the Battle and
the Breeze, and if fo, mould, methinks, be by this time in Tatters. He did fay that the Britifh
Lion had been long aflcep, but was now at laft aroufed, which do feem a fimple Saying, the
Britifh Lion being only a fabulous Bead, like the Unicorn, and nowhere to be found but in the
Royal Arms. But to hear how the Company did cheer at all this Mouthing, and I do verily
think they had far rather liden to it, than Mr. Conincsbv his clever Schemes and Projects,
albeit it was the vcrieft Cant and Stuff; for, good Lack ! to think of the Monarchy and Church,
and all Morals, Religion, and Government, depending on the Price of Wheat ! After more
Speeches in the fame Strain, the Britifh Labourer his Health drunk, and then the Prizes given
out ; and an old Man of 80, for bringing up a Family without coding the Parifh id. in 50 Years,
did receive £1, and others for honeft Service nigh as long, a Jacket, a Smock Frock, or a Pair
of Hob- Nail Boots, in Reward of Merit. The Toafts and Speech-making lafted till late, and
then we broke up, the Farmers mighty merry, though grumbling, but not more than their Wont,
at the Laws and the Weather, but their bed Friends say, will have little to complain of either, if
they will but mind their Bufinefs, and turn ferioufly to improving their Hufbandry.
Mann^p^j \md Cvstoms- of>* EnGlyshe-in ■ I84Q- m° 39.
Appearance- or /- CRYmynyaL CovRTE-DvRYwG.4N-',NrERcsTYN&'-T^YAL
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Appearance of ye Crvmvnyal Covrte dvrync an " Interestync. " Tryal for
MVRDER.
[Friday, November jo, 1849.]
UP and did take mv Wife, with a Party of Friends, to the Old Bailey, my Wife having
a great Longing to fee a Prifoner tried, efpecially for Murder, and little Pleafure as (he
do take, poor Wretch, I could not find in my Heart to deny her this. Got our Places
in the Gallery, cort me 10,., which did begrudge, and do think it a Scandal to the City to have
Money taken at the Old Bailey Doors, as at a Play, yet it do ferve to keep the Company cho.ce.
And good Lack ! to fee the AITemblage of great Folks about us, we fitting clofe by Sir
Jessam.e Sp.nkes, and my Lord Polncett, and two or three other Lords on the Bench by
my Lords the Judges, and the Aldermen, did make the Place look as fine almoft as the Opera.
But in Truth it was as good as a Play, if not better, to hear the Barriers .peak to the jury,
efpecially the Counfel for the Prifoners, making believe to be mightily concerned tor their
Clients, though moft obfervable Rogues, and arguing in their Behalf through 1 h,ck and I ton,
and driving Is hard as they could to prove the Black, that did come out in Evidence agauift
them White; and pleading their Caufe as though they were injured Innocents, with fm.t.ng ot
the Breaft, and turning up of the Eyes, more natural than I remember I did ever fee any Aftor.
But methinks they did Co a little too far when, crofs-examining the W.tnclTes, they ftrove to
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
entangle them in their Talk, and confound them, trying to make them blunder, fo as to miflead
the Jury, which do feem to me only telling a Lie by the Witnefs his Mouth. And then to hear
them labour to deftroy the Witnefles" Credit, and make their Oath fufpedted ; and them, however
honeft, feem Perjurers ; and to think that they do practife all this Wickednefs only for the Lucre
of their Fees ! Among the Prifoners fome of the moft horrid Ruffians that methinks I ever did
fee, and fome, when found guilty and fentenced even to Tranfportation, flopping out of the
Dock, and fnapping their Fingers, which did remind me of the Saying, " Merry as Thieves."
But others looking mighty difmal, and when the Evidence did tell againft them, turning pale
and fhivering, and we had Eye-Glaffes we took with us on Purpofe, and through our Eye-Glaftes
did watch the Quivering of their Features, which, Heaven forgive us ! we did take Delight in.
Ufing Eye-GlafTes did the more make it feem as if I were at a Play, and what did jump with
the Notion was the Bunches of Rue on the Dock in Front of the Prifoners, feeming almoft like
Nofegays, which glad I am that my Wife and our other Ladies had not with them, for fo taken
were they with the ranting Barrifters and hang-Gallows Ruffians, that I do verily believe they
would have flung their Pofies to them if they had. Strange that we do make fuch Account of
Criminals, and will fit for Hours to fee how it goes with a Villain, when we would not fpare five
Minutes to the Caufe of many an honeft Man ; and I do intend and refolve to fearch in
Dr. Browne his Metaphyftques to know wherefore. But for one good Reafon I did take
Pleafure in the Old Bailey, which was the Fairnefs of the Trials, and the Patience of the Judge,
and Juftnefs of his fumming up, which do caufe me mightily to reverence our Law, and to hear
and fee was pretty.
|^Annov§- ad- Customs or r tNei-YSHEi-IN 184-9 N° 40
A Promenade: ■ Conclkje
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
A Promenade Concerte.
\Thurfday, December 6, 1849.]
DID fet my Wife, poor Wretch ! this Evening to mending my Socks, which is a prcttv
Employment for her Leifure ; and myfclf to Drury Lane, to Monsi 1 R Jul lien his
Concert. The firft Part of the Concert all Dr. Mendelssohn his Mufique, which
I did long mightily to hear, and, fo to do in comfort, buy a Ticket for the Drcfs Circle, coft me
is. 6d., but found the Seats all full, and obliged to ftand the whole While, which made me mad,
but a pretty full-eyed young Lady being forced to ftand too, and clofe by me, though with her
Brother, did comfort me a little, not that ftie could not fit, but that ftie was by me. Heard a
Symphony that did well pleafc me, fceming to lift me into the Clouds, and was mighty myftical
and pretty ; and the Mufique in the Midjummer Night's Dream did give me much Delight, the
Twittering throughout the Overture putting me in Mind of Singing-Birds and Fairies and
I know not what, and the fleepy Paflages very fwcet and lulling. Mightilv taken with the
Prelude to the Mock-Tragedy, Bottom his March, as droll Mufique as I ever heard ; but what
did moft of all delight me was the Wedding March, a noble Piece, and I did rejoice therein, and
do think to hire a Band to play it under our Window on my Wedding Day. Monsieir
Jullien in his white Waiftcoat and with his Mouftachios mighty fpruce and as grand as ever,
MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
and did conduct the Mufique, but fo quietly in the firft Part that I could fcarce have believed
it, and methought fhowed Reverence for the Compofer ; which was handfome. But good
Lack! to fee him prefently, when he come to direct " God Save the Queen," flourifh his Batoon,
and acT: the mad Mufician ! All the Company rifing and taking off their Hats was a noble
Sight, and grand, the While, to hear that majeftical Anthem, till prefently fome moft ridiculous
and impertinent Variations fet all the Houfe a laughing and fome hiffing, and I do fufpect
Monsieur Jullien had a fpecial Audience this Night, that would not away with fuch Tricks.
Between the Parts of the Concert, I into the Pit to walk about among the Sparks, and there a
great Prcfs, and the Houfe crammed to the Ceiling. Did vifit the Refremment and Reading
Rooms, where young Blades and Laffes drinking of Coffee and eating of Ices, and fome Reading
of the News, and with Shrubs and Statues round about, and the Houfe all White and Gold, and
brightly lighted, mighty gay ; and the Sparks jaunty, but not, I think, wearing fuch flaming
Neckcloths and Bread Pins as they were wont. Did ftay out the fecond Part only becaufe
curious to hear the Row-Polka, and heard fome Mufique of the Prophete, full of Snorting of
Brafs Inftruments and Tinkling of Triangles, and a long Waltz that did give me the Fidgets,
and nothing wherein I could take any Delight at all, fave in Jetty Treffz her finging of
" Trab. trab." which was pretty. At laft, the Row-Polka played, and well-named it feemed to
be, and very droll and abfurd, with Chiming-in of Voices and other monftrous Accompaniments,
making a good ridiculous rough Mufique. But many of the Hearers did hifs, methought with
Unreafon, the Polka being no worfe than any other Polka, but better, as lefs empty, having
fome Joke in it. Home, the Wedding March running in my Head, and glad to find good
Mufique drawing fo great a Houfe, which I do hope will be a Hint to Monsieur Jullien.
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