Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/90

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY. and did now cry for Blue to go it; and then Red, and then Pink, and at laſt that Red had it, meaning the Colours of the Rowers, which indeed looked very ſmart and ſpruce. Over the Bridge, and, inſtead of to Barnes, down the River, along the Towing Path, which was alſo thronged with Folks running to and fro, all Eagerneſs and Buſtle. So to Putney, and there the Multitude greateſt 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 beſet by Cuſtomers 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 worſe Miſhap, 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 truſt my Carcaſe in a Cockle-Shell, that fitting an Inch too much on one Side would overthrow. Mighty pleaſant alſo to behold on the Water the little Parties of Beauties, rowed by their Sweethearts, under Awnings to ſhade 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 Noiſe. Afloat everywhere in their Boating-Trim I did note ſundry of thoſe young Sparks that do and think and talk of Nothing but pulling up the River, and live upon it almoſt, like Swans or Geeſe; and, whom I met, do ſay they have no Brains in their Skulls. But, however, that Boat-Racing is a true Britiſh Paſtime, and ſo long as we pull together he will back us againſt all the World. "And talking of that," ſays he, "the Sport being ended, ſuppofe we take a Pull at ſome of his Ale;" which we did with great Content and ſo Home.