| Citation |
BC.768.111
24-31 Oct 1768:5213,5221 (1/46 Supplement)
London. . . August 25. . . Friday night a jolly young tar
gave a noble entertainment, at the public house in Holborne,
which was opened to as many as came. Good eating and
drinking appeared in as much profusion as at other great
entertainments; but the singularity of this, lay in the
manner of serving up the principal liquor Punch; forty-five
gallons of which filled a curious mahogany coffin, that our
tar had provided for himself among the requisites for the
intended voyage. The coffin, or temporary punch bowl was
ornamented with brass hinges, handles, and two locks, with
the following inscription on the lid:
This coffin is made
For a good hearty blade,
Who lov'd to carouse and be merry;
Old care he defies,
And will till he dies;
Then his friends may sing, hey down derry.
A display of such uncommon taste and decency promoted much
noisy mirth: many got Princely drunk at this joyful
banquet; and, to end the witty scene (like Bayes in the
Rehearsal) with something funeral, a watchman, who partook
of the bounty, was found on Saturday morning in so sound a
sleep, as to give all reasonable expectation that he would
never awake again.
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