Bernard Blackmantle.
[Illustration: page89b]
A SUNDAY RAMBLE TO HIGHGATE,
OR, THE CITS ORDINARY.
Bernard Blackmantle's first Excursion with the Marigold
Family--Lucubrations of the Alderman on the Alterations of
the Times--Sketches and Recollections on the Road--The Past
and the Present--Arrival at the Gate House, Highgate--The
Cit's Ordinary--Traits of Character--The Water Drinker, the
Vegetable Eater, and the Punster--Tom Cornish, the
Gourmand--Anecdote of old Tattersall and his Beef Eater--
Young Tat. and the Turnpike Man.
~90~~"May I never be merry more," said the alderman, "if we don't go a
Maying on Sunday next, and you must accompany us, Master Blackmantle: I
always make a country excursion once a year, to wit, on the first Sunday
in May, when we join a very jolly party at the Gate House, Highgate, and
partake of an excellent ordinary."
"I thought, Pa, you would have given up that vulgar custom when we
removed westward, and you were elected alderman of the ward of Cheap."
"Ay," said Mrs. Marigold, "if you wish to act politely to your wife and
daughter write to the Star and Garter at Richmond, or the Toy at Hampton
Court, and order a choice dinner beforehand for a select party; then we
should be thought something of, and be able to dine in comfort, without
being ~91~~_scrowged_ up in a corner by a Leadenhall landlady, or
elbowed out of every mouthful by a Smithfield salesman.
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