It was Mr. Handel’s usual custom, when engaged to dine out with any
nobleman or gentleman, to take a little of something by way of
refreshment, and to operate as a damper, that he might not display his
vast powers as a gormandiser among people of puny appetites. For one of
these previous dinners, or dampers, he ordered at the Crown and Anchor
tavern a dozen large mackarel, a duck, and two roasted chickens. One of
the waiters, judging from the quantity of victuals ordered, what number
of people would probably be expected to dine, laid the cloth, and
furnished the table with eight plates, &c. Mr. Handel arrived punctually
at the hour he had named for the appearance of his repast, and was
informed that none of the company were come, but himself; the landlord
therefore humbly suggested to him that the dinner might be kept back,
till some more of the company dropped in, “Company!” declaimed the
dealer in harmony. “What company?---I expect no company! I ordered these
few articles by way of relish for myself, and must beg to be excused
from the intrusion of any company whatsoever!”
The _twelve_ mackarel were first introduced, and Mr. Handel paid his
devoirs to each of them. He swallowed every one of them with the
expedition of a real artist, and seemed almost equal to the task of
swallowing the _twelve_ judges. The skeletons of the fish being then
removed, in came the duck and the two chickens: the bones of all these
were picked with great dexterity; the bill was called, and discharged,
and after that the poor gentleman fasted for almost an hour and a
quarter, when he repaired to the house of lord H--------n, to complete
the dinner which he had began at the Crown and Anchor.
* * * * *