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occasionally present his domestics with money to go to the play; provide a physician and apothecary, when sick; and attend to their interests, when in health, with a truly paternal concern. To John, his head gardener, he gave fifty-two guineas a year, in addition to his board and lodging. When a young man, he permitted him to go once a week to visit his wife at Brentford; but, as he grew old, he diminished this indulgence, and would only allow him to repair thither once a fortnight. To coachmen, postillions, and watermen, he was very generous, when they conducted themselves with propriety, generally doubling the amount of their claims, and always terming the surplus "civility money." On the other hand, no one ever resisted impositions, whether great or trifling, with more firmness than himself; and indeed, he always considered this as a duty due to society from an individual.

CHAPTER VI.

FROM 1803 TO 1804.

A Description of the Entertainments of Wimbledon-An Account of some of the Company.

AT this period the health of Mr. Tooke seemed to improve, and not content, therefore, with occasionally amusing himself in his garden, he now resumed his studies with additional energy. Many of his old companions frequently visited him during the week, while on Sunday his table was generally thronged with guests.

This may be the proper place, perhaps, to mention some particulars relative to the company and entertainments at Wimbledon. The philologist never appears to have deemed himself independent, until after his trial at the Old Bailey, when, his talents and his innocence becoming alike conspicuous, all his friends were eager to administer to his wants, and rescue him

from unmerited poverty and distress. Indeed, it may be fairly said of Mr. Tooke, on this occasion, what JamesI. observed of lord Coke, "That he made the best of a disgrace, and when he fell, it was like a cat- always on his feet!"

MR. TOOKE'S COMPANY.

Whenever Mr. Tooke wished to have a select party, he usually allotted some day about the middle of the week for this purpose, carefully excepting Sunday, and, at the same time, specifying his reason. On that festival — (for so it might well be termed at Wimbledon !) - the cook was put in requisition, and all the servants were seen with busy faces. So early as eleven in the morning, some of the guests might be descried crossing the green in a diagonal direction, while others took a more circuitous route along the great road, by turning at right angles in the village, and completing the two sides of the parallelogram, with a view of calling at the mansion, formerly occupied by the duke of Newcastle, while prime minister; but then, as now, the residence of sir Francis Burdett. About three, several gentlemen on foot, and on horseback, and in carriages, were seen crossing Putney Bridge, and scaling the ascent leading to the common. For many years a coach and

four, with Mr. Bosville and two or three friends, punctually arrived within a few minutes of two o'clock; and, after paying their respects in the parlour, walked about an hour in the fine gardens, with which the house was, all but on one side, surrounded. At four, the dinner was usually served, in the parlour looking on the common; and JOHN having, with a smiling "holiday face," announced the glad tidings, the company passed through the hall, the chairs of which were crowded with great coats, hats, &c., and took their seats without any ceremony, each usually placing himself in his proper situation. But the courteous host- and no man could, when he pleased, display more courtesy-generally stationed strangers, or men conspicuous for either rank or talents, near to himself, and was particularly attentive to them, both during and after the repast.

The dinner, uniformly consisting of both white and brown meats, was always excellent, because it was always substantial. To such as had walked, and found their appetites sharpened by the keen and healthy air of the heath, it proved both refreshing and invigorating in no common degree. At the top, was to be found fish of the best kind and most delicate flavourturbot, large soles, or cod, each in its respective

season, and all accompanied with their appropriate sauces. This was generally followed by a fillet of veal. In the centre, was usually to be seen a tureen of soup, and, at the bottom, either a round of beef, or a sirloin. As side dishes, were to be found the produce of the garden, in great variety, and the highest possible degree of perfection; while pies and puddings, both excellent in respect to composition and flavour, were afterwards introduced. The host's colloquial powers were at this period called forth into action; and, indeed, although he possessed ans excellent appetite, and partook freely of almost every thing before him, yet he found ample time for his "gibes and jokes," which seemed to act as so many corroborants; at once strengthening and improving the appetites of his guests.

After the cloth had been removed, wines of several sorts, but generally Madeira, sherry, and port, were introduced. These were accompanied by a desert, consisting entirely of our native fruits; all of which were cultivated by him with great skill, and attained a high flavour and perfection under his auspices. In the summer, his table was abundantly supplied with Alpine strawberries, Antwerp raspberries, and Dutch currants; for he was careful in his choice of plants, and anxious to obtain them from those

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