Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/158

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, and only becauſe 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 Reaſon there is, though the Doggrel ſay to the contrary, why Gunpowder Treaſon mould be forgot. But ſome 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 Weſtminfter, 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, coſt me, with Beer and Punch, 2s.; and ſo to Tower Hill, where the Banging and Blazing of the Fireworks the greateſt of all; and the Roman Candles and Pin-wheels mighty pretty; but ſome letting off Guns and Piſtols put me a little in Fear. Here preſently I did hear a Popping and Cracking behind me; which was a Cracker pinned by ſome Scapegrace to my Coat-Tail, and did make me to jump, and the Standers-by to laugh: which did vex me to the Heart; and Mr. Gregory do ſay, ſerved me right for countenancing ſuch Doings. But to ſee the Mob flinging Serpents at each other, and burning and fingeing one another like Devils, did much divert me, till a Squib whizzing part: me did ſcorch me in the Face. Truly his Day this Time was mighty well kept, and  do rejoice in its better Obſervance, which he do tell me is a revival of Proteſtant Spirit; but I do agree with  that Proteſtancy is not a Doctrine of Fireworks, and muſt own it were better to bury, and not burn him any more.