Part 14 (1/2)
2 Sluicery--A gin-shop or public-house: so denominated from the lower orders of society sluicing their throats as it were with gin, and probably derived from the old song ent.i.tled ”The Christening of Little Joey,” formerly sung by Jemmy Dodd, of facetious memory.
”And when they had sluiced their gobs With striving to excel wit, The lads began to hang their n.o.bs,*
And lip their frows** the velvet.***
* n.o.bs--Heads.
** Frows--Originally a Dutch word, meaning wives, or girls.
*** Velvet--The tongue.
~119~~noggin of _white tape_,{1} and fill me a pipe,” said he--”d----n my eyes, I knowed as how it vou'd be all right enough, I never gets in no rows whatever without getting myself out again--come, _ould chap,{2} vet your vistle, and tip it us rum--go it my kiddy, that are's just vat I likes_.”
”Vat's the reason I an't to have a pipe?” said Mother Mapps.
”Lord bless your heart,” said the Donkey-driver, ”if I did'nt forget you, never trust me--here, Landlord, a pipe for this here Lady.”
”Which way did the bull run?” said the Irishman.
”Bl----st me if I know,” replied Limping Billy, ”for I was a looking out for my own a.s.s--let's have the Sprig of Shelalah, _ould Blackymoor_--come, tune up.”
The old woman being supplied with a pipe, and the fiddler having rosined his nerves with a gla.s.s of _blue ruin_{3} to it they went, some singing, some whistling, and others drumming with their hands upon the table; while Tom, Bob, and Sparkle, taking a seat at the other side of the room, ordered a gla.s.s of brandy and water each, and enjoyed the merriment of the scene before them, perhaps more than those actually engaged in it. Bob was alive to every movement and every character, for it was new, and truly interesting: and kept growing more so, for in a few minutes Limping Billy and Mother Mapps joined the Slaughterman in the dance, when nothing could be more grotesque and amusing. Their pipes in their mouths--clapping of hands and snapping of fingers, formed a curious accompaniment to the squeaking of the fiddle--the broad grin of the Dustman, and the preposterous laugh of the
1 White Tape--Also a common term for gin, particularly among the Ladies.
2 Ould Chap, or Ould Boy--Familiar terms of address among flash lads, being a sort of contraction of old acquaintance, or old friend.
3 Blue Ruin--Gin.
~120~~Irishman at the reelers in the centre, heightened the picture--more gin--more music, and more tobacco, soon ad a visible effect upon the party, and reeling became unavoidable. The young man reading the paper, found it impossible to understand what he was perusing, and having finished his pipe and his pint, made his exit, appearing to have no relish for the entertainment, and perhaps heartily cursing both the cause and the effect. Still, however, the party was not reduced in number, for as one went out another came in.
This new customer was a young-looking man, bearing a large board on a high pole, announcing the residence of a Bug-destroyer in the Strand.
His appearance was grotesque in the extreme, and could only be equalled by the eccentricities of his manners and conversation. He was dressed in a brown coat, close b.u.t.toned, over which he had a red camlet or stuff surtout, apparently the off-cast of some theatrical performer, but with a determination to appear fas.h.i.+onable; for
”Folks might as well be dead--nay buried too, As not to dress and act as others do.”
He wore mustachios, a pair of green spectacles, and his whole figure was surmounted with a fur-cap. Taking a seat directly opposite our party at the same table--”Bring me a pint,” said he; and then deliberately searching his pockets, he produced a short pipe and some tobacco, with which he filled it--”You see,” said he, ”I am obliged to smoke according to the Doctor's orders, for an asthma--so I always smokes three pipes a day, that's my allowance; but I can eat more than any man in the room, and can dance, sing, and act--nothing conies amiss to me, all the players takes their characters from me.”
After this introduction--”You are a clever fellow, I'll be bound for it,” said Dashall.
”O yes, I acts Richard the Third sometimes--sometimes Macbeth and Tom Thumb. I have played before Mr. Kean: then I acted Richard the Third--'Give me a horse! '--(starting into the middle of the room)--'no, stop, not so--let me see, let me see, how is it?--ah, this is the way--Give me a horse--Oh! Oh! Oh!--then you know I dies.”--And down he fell on the floor, which created a general roar of laughter; while Billy Waters ~121~~struck up, ”See the conquering Hero conies!” to the inexpressible delight of all around him--their feet and hands all going at the same time.
Mother Mapps dropp'd her pipe, and d----d the weed, it made her sick, she said.
Limping Billy was also evidently in _queer-street_.
”Come,” said Sparkle, ”won't you have a drop more?”
”Thank ye, Sir,” was the reply; and Sparkle, intent upon having his gig out, ordered a fresh supply, which soon revived the fallen hero of Bosworth-field, and Richard was himself again.
”Now,” said he, ”I'll sing you a song,” and immediately commenced as follows:--
”My name's Hookey Walker, I'm known very well, In acting and eating I others excel; The player-folks all take their patterns from me, And a nice pattern too!--Don't you see? don't you see?