Merrie England in the Olden Time. George Daniel

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      From childhood he rear'd me, how fondly my heart

      Forgets not, nor lets not my tongue silent be;

      But whispers, while sweet tears of gratitude start,

      A blessing and pray'r for his kindness to me!

      I'll breathe not his name, though its record is deep

      In my warm beating bosom, for fear he should frown,

      Go read it where angels their register keep

      Of the gifted and good, for 'tis there written down.

      The conversation now took a more lively turn. Mr. Bosky fired off his jokes right and left; and if there be truth in physiognomy, the animated countenance of Uncle Timothy beamed with complacency and joy. He was in full song, and showered forth his wit and eloquence in glorious profusion, beauty following upon beauty. Thus another Attic hour glided imperceptibly away. The midnight chimes at length admonished us to depart. A galaxy of stars had risen in the unclouded firmament, and a refreshing air breathed around. And as we had many times during the evening filled our horns, the harvest moon had filled hers also to light us home.

CHAPTER IV.

       Table of Contents

      A merry morning, Eugenio. Did not soft slumbers and pleasant dreams follow the heart-stirring lucubrations of Uncle Timothy? I am mistaken if you rose not lighter and happier, and in more perfect peace with yourself and the world.”

      “My dreams were of ancient minstrelsy, Christmas gambols, May-day games, and merriments. Methought Uncle Timothy was a portly Apollo, Mr. Bosky a rosy Pan—”

      “And you and I, Eugenio?”

      “Foremost in the throng—”

      “Of capering satyrs! Well, though our own dancing * days are over, we still retain a relish for that elegant accomplishment.

      * There were rare dancing doings at The original dancing

       room at the field-end of King-Street, Bloomsbury,.

       in the year 1742

       Hickford's great room, Panton-Street, Haymarket, 1743

       Mitre Tavern, Charing-Cross, … 1743

       Barber's Hall, … 1745

       Richmond Assembly, … 1745

       Lambeth Wells, … .1747

       Duke's long room, Paternoster-Row,.. 1748

       Large Assembly Room at the Two Green Lamps, near Exeter

       Change, (at the particular desire of Jubilee Diekey!) … in

       the year 1749 The large room next door to the Hand and

       Slippers, Long-Lane, West Smithfield, … 1750 Lambeth Wells,

       where a Penny Wedding, in the Scotch manner, was celebrated

       for the benefit of a young couple, … … 1752 Old Queen's

       Head, in Cock-Lane, Lambeth,. 1755 and at Mr. Bell's, at the

       sign of the Ship, in the Strand, where, in 1755, a Scotch

       Wedding was kept. The bride “to be dressed without any

       linen; all in ribbons, and green flowers, with Scotch masks.

       There will be three bag-pipes; a band of Scotch music, &c.

       &c. To begin precisely at two o'clock. Admission, two

       shillings and sixpence.”

      As antiquaries, we have a reverence for dancing. Noah danced before the ark. The boar's head and the wine and wassail were crowned with a dance to the tune of 'The Black Almayne,' 'My Lorde Marques Galyarde,' and 'The firste Traces of due Passa.'

      'Merrily danc'd the Quaker's wife,

      And merrily danc'd the Quaker!'

      Why not? Orpheus charmed the four-footed family with his fiddle: shall it have less effect on the two?

      “The innocent and the happy, while the dews of youth are upon them, dance to the music of their own hearts. 'See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing!' The Irishman has his lilt; the Scotchman his reel, which he not unfrequently dances to his own particular fiddle! and the Englishman his country-dance.

      Original

      With dogs and bears, horses and geese, * game-cocks and monkeys exhibiting their caprioles, shall man be motionless and mute?

      * There is an odd print of “Vestris teaching a goose to

       dance.” The terms, for so fashionable a professor as he was

       in his day, are extremely moderate; “Six guineas entrance,

       and one guinea a lesson.” The following song is inscribed

       underneath.

       “Of all the fine accomplishments sure dancing far the best

       is,

       But if a doubt with you remains, behold the Goose and

       Vestris;.

       And a dancing we will go, will go, &c.

       Let men of learning plead and preach; their toil 'tis all in

       vain,

       Sure, labour of the heels and hands is better than the

       brain:

       And a dancing, &c.

       Then talk no more, ye men of arts, 'bout keeping light and

       shade,

       Good understanding in the heels is better than the head:

       And a dancing, &c.

       Great Whigs, and eke great Tories too, both in and out will

       dance,

       Join hands, change sides, and figure in, now sink, and now

       advance.

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