| Citation |
EG.768.032
8-15 Nov 1768:33 (1/16)
From a London paper, 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, he 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 Bays 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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