Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/496

 478 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

January 23, 1733.

.... As to Lord Malton's entertainment, I was there and dined att the table with my Lord ; att which dined Sir John Bland, Mr. Wentworth of Wooley, and Mr. Matt. Wentworth, and 5 or 6 parsons, with some others, all the low end being tenants. There was in the prayer hall six tables made of deals with benches, such as in the tents att Boughton fair. Att four of them there might be about 32 people, the other two something above half the number, the tables being less. I looked upon itt that the bulk of the men satt there in that hall. Our dishes stood single, the table allowing no more ; first dish, roast porke ; 2nd, turkey ; 3rd, venison pasty ; 4th, cold beefe roast ; 5th, fruit pudding ; 6th, a goose ; 7th, aple pye ; 8th, a hogg's head in souce ; so then the course begun again, and kept in this forme to every table. We eate upon trenchers and wood dishes, and drunk in horns ; my Lord did the same. The horns held near pints and the punch was made strong, and the common people drunk full horns just after dinner that 2 or 3 horns would make them drunk or sick ; punch is the cheapest liquor to make a treat of — the numbers are magnified in every thing. My Lord would have me to sitt next to Mr. Wentworth of Wooley, whether itt was out of respect to your Lordship or that I might have the opportunity of seeing the wisdome of Solomon. My Lord drunk ale and so did I, and I went of with flying colours ; but several staid the night and some lay ruff There was one man found dead supposed to be choaked with punch. I think itt was a troublesome noisy thing, and I am afifraid of being so to your lordship of such a matter as I did nott much think off after I saw itt, and I am, &c.

��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]

February 3, 1733. My Lord,

Of all the priviledges of the noble house there is none I like better than proxies, since it brings me the happyness

�� �