MR. PIPS HIS DIARY.
"Socyetye" Enioyinge Itselfe at a Soyreé.
[Friday, June 15, 1849.]
AFTER a Dinner oft' Bubble and Squeak, my Wife and I to my Lord Wilkinson's At Home, by Invitation; though Heaven knows if ever I let Eyes on his Lordſhp in my Life, or he on me; but do aſcribe this Honour to having my Name put down in the Court Guide, and am glad to find the Conſequence and Importance I have got thereby. I in my new Suit of Black and Silk Neckerchief, with a Fringe at the Ends, and my Wife did wear her Lace Dreſs over her pink Satin Slip, which was very handſome. Gave our Card to a Lackey in yellow and crimſon Livery, with a huge Shoulderknot, who did ſhout out our Name, which, paſſing along a Row of his Fellows lining the Stairs, was by the lime it reached the Drawing-Room changed to Pippins—but no matter; for before I could ſet it right, we were preſented to my Lord and my Lady, who profeſſed themſelves delighted to ſee us. So on with the Stream in the Crowd; for my Lord's Drawing-Room as thronged as the Opera Pit Entrance on a Thurſday Night. Methought ſurely there was Something worth feeing and hearing; but ſaw Nothing extraordinary beyond the Multitude of Company, and divers Writers, Painters, and other Perſons of Note, elbowing their Way through the Preſs; nor heard anything but Puffing and Gaſping, and complaining of the terrible Heat. Several Ladies fainting; and my Wife declaring ſhe
