MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
Pickle did pleaſe me mightily, alſo ſome Eels, ſpitchcocked, and a ſtewed Carp, and ate heartily of them with much Reliſh; but did only nibble at the Reſt by way of a Taſte, for I felt exceeding full, and methought I ſhould have no Stomach for the Whitebait. But Lack! to ſee when it came, how my Appetite returned, and I did fall to upon it, and drink iced Punch, and then at the Whitebait again. Pretty, the little Slices of brown Bread and Butter, they did bring us to eat it withal, and truly, with a Squeeze of Lemon and Cayenne Pepper, it is delicate Eating. After the Whitebait plain, Whitebait devilled made us to eat the more, and drink too, which we did in Champagne and Hock, pledging each other with great Mirth. After the Fiſh comes a Courſe of Ducks, and a Haunch of Mutton, and divers made Diſhes; and then Tarts and Cuſtards and Grouſe; and laſtly, a Deſſert, and I did partake of all, as much as I had a Mind to, and after Dinner drank Port and Claret, when much Joking and rare Stories, and very merry we were. Pretty to look out of Window as we ſat, at the Craft and the White Sails in the Sunſet on the River. Back in a Railway Carriage, ſhouting and ſinging, and in a Cab Home, where Dr. Sharpe called to ſee my Wife for her Vapours. Pretty Diſcourfe with him touching the Epidemic, he telling me that of all Things to bring it on the likelieſt was Exceſs in Food and Drink, which did trouble me, and ſo with a Draught of Soda and a Doſe of Pills to Bed.
