Preparations for visiting the Queen--Amusing interview with
Sykes, the porter--Mistaken by the old Chief for Prince
Albert--Meet the Hon. Mr. Murray--The waiting-room--The
Author conducts the party before Her Majesty and the Prince
in the Waterloo Gallery--Their reception--Introductions and
conversations--Indians give the war-dance--A smoke--The
old Chief's speech to the Queen--Pipe-dance--Her Majesty
and the Prince retire--Indians at a feast in the
waiting-room--Drinking the Queen's health in Champagne--Indians
call it "_Chickabobboo_"--Story of _Chickabobboo_, and great
amusement--Indians return to London--Evening-gossip about
the Queen and her _Chickabobboo_--First evening of the
Indians in Egyptian Hall--Great excitement--Alarm--Tremendous
applause--Old Chief's speech--Hon. Mr. Murray's letter
to the old Chief, enclosing £20 from the Queen and other
presents--Speech of the War-chief--Pipe-dance--Shaking
hands--Curious questions by the audience--Ale allowed to the
Indians at dinner and after supper--Their rejoicing--They call
it _Chickabobboo_.
A new chapter commenced here with the Indians, as it commences with
my book. All "omnibus drives" were postponed for the present; all
communications with the world entirely interdicted; and all was bustle
and preparation for the grand event which was to "cap the climax"
of their highest ambition--the point to which they had looked ever
since they had started, and beyond which, it is not probable, their
contemplations had as yet visibly painted anything.
Colours, and ribbons, and beads, of the richest hues, were called for,
and procured from various parts of the city; and both night and day,
all, men and women, were constantly engaged in adding brilliancy and
richness of colour to their costumes.
The old chief was painting the stem of his pipe of peace (or calumet)
sky-blue, emblematical of the feelings they carried in their breasts;
and decorating it also with blue and red ribbons, as a suitable gift
to royalty. The little girl, _Nib-nab-e-qua_, was crying, as she
embroidered with red and white porcupine-quills, fearing that her new
mocassins would not look so brilliant as she had sometimes made them.
Her mother was arranging black mourning plumes in the cradle in which
her infant had died, and which, by the custom of the country, she was
obliged yet to carry on her back. The War-chief was repainting his
shield, and arranging his scalps on a little hoop, to give proper
effect to the scalp-dance. The _Medicine-man_ was preparing his
_wa-be-no_ drum. _Gish-ee-gosh-ee-gee_ was stringing beads with his
wife; and _Sah-mah_ was brightening his tomahawk and his scalping-knife
for a glittering effect in the war-dance. Cadotte, during this time,
was parading before the mirror, examining, arranging, and rearranging
the ostrich-plumes in his cap, and the fit of a laced frock he had just
had made; and (I had almost forgotten myself) I was anxiously awaiting
the arrival of a new coat I had ordered at my tailor's for the occasion.
On the morning appointed, all were satisfactorily prepared, and, being
seated in an omnibus posted with four horses, we were on our way, and
soon after that arrived at the gates of Windsor Castle. Descending from
the carriage, the poor old chief, whose eyes were getting a little dim
with age, was completely nonplused at beholding the magnificent figure
(in scarlet and gold lace and powdered wig) of (his apparent Majesty)
Sykes, the well-known porter of the palace, who had him by the elbow,
and was conducting him and his heavy paraphernalia towards the door.
The good old chief turned round and gave him his hand, not knowing as
yet what to say, as they had none of them contemplated anything so
brilliant and dazzling, short of Majesty itself. He was at this moment,
however, saved from committing himself or bestowing his pipe of peace
by the sudden approach of several others of the household in liveries
equally splendid, who conducted us into the hall, at which moment we
met our friend the Honourable Mr. Murray, whom we followed to the
waiting-room adjoining to the Waterloo Gallery, in which our reception
was to take place. Here we were seated, and awaited the anxious moment
when it was to be announced that her Majesty was ready to see us.
The Indians were here parading before the large and splendid mirrors
and adjusting their feathers and ornaments, and suggesting many
surmises about the long table which was dressed out in the room where
we were, and which they supposed was the place where the Queen and
all her officers about her took their dinners. This, as the sequel
will show, was a very great error, as it was preparing for another and
entirely different purpose.
After waiting half an hour or so, an officer in full dress came into
the room and informed us that the Queen was in the adjoining room,
and ready to receive us, and showed us the way. There was a moment of
jingling and rattling of trinkets as the Indians were throwing on their
robes and gathering up their weapons; and when they responded to my
question "if they were all ready?"--by their "_how! how! how!_" I led
the way, and they followed into the Waterloo Gallery. They were now all
at full length before her Majesty and the Prince, who most graciously
received them. (_Plate No. 5._) The Queen arose from a sofa in the
middle of the room, having her Majesty the Queen Dowager and H. R. H.
the Duchess of Kent by her side; and advancing towards the Indians, was
joined by H. R. H. Prince Albert and the Hon. Mr. Murray. Her Majesty
desired that the interpreter and myself should advance nearer to her,
and at her request I introduced each individually by their appropriate
names, explaining their costumes, weapons, &c. Her Majesty beckoned the
little girl up to her, and held her some time by both hands, evidently
much pleased with her appearance, and also the woman with the cradle
on her back, in whom she seemed to take much interest. She asked many
questions, as well as the Prince, relative to their costumes, modes,
&c., and they then took their seats on the sofa to witness the
dances which the Indians had come prepared to give.
[Illustration: N^o. 5.]
The Indians were at this time seated in a circle on the floor, when
the _Medicine-man_ gradually commenced tapping on his drum and singing
in a low tone. In a few moments the house jarred with the leap of the
War-chief, who was upon his feet, and after him all the party, in the
din of the war-dance. (_Plate No. 6._)
This dance finished, they were again seated on the floor, when the old
chief, seventy-five years of age, having lighted his pipe and passed it
around, arose and made the following address to her Majesty:--[7]
"Great Mother--I have been very sorrowful since I left my home, but
the Great Spirit has brought us all safe over the great waters, and
my heart will now be glad that we can see your face. We are now happy.
"These are all the words I have to say. My words are few, for I am
not very well to-day. The other chief will tell you what I intended
to say."
[7] The poor old chief met with a sudden embarrassment at this
moment that he had not thought of, and was not prepared
consequently to know how to proceed. He had, according to the
custom of his country, prepared and brought with him a beautiful
calumet or pipe of peace to present, and on rising to make his
speech (the moment when it is customary to present it) it for
the first time occurred to him that he was about to present it
to a woman, the impropriety of which was evident to him. He
thought of the Prince, but as the pipe of peace can only be
given to the highest in power, he had another misgiving; and,
unlike to orators in the Indian countries, continued to hold it
in his hand while he was speaking, and brought it away with him.
The War-chief then rose, and in a very energetic manner made the
following speech, which was also literally interpreted to her Majesty:--
"Great Mother--The Great Spirit has been kind to us, your children,
in protecting us on our long journey here. And we are now happy that
we are allowed to see your face. It makes our hearts glad to see
the faces of so many Saganoshes (English) in this country, and all
wearing such pleasant looks. We think the people here must be very
happy.
"Mother--We have been often told that there was a great fire in this
country--that its light shone across the great water; and we see now
where this great light arises. We believe that it shines from this
great wigwam to all the world.
"Mother--We have seen many strange things since we came to this
country. We see that your wigwams are large, and the light that is in
them is bright. Our wigwams are small, and our light is not strong.
We are not rich, but yet we have plenty of food to eat.
"Mother--Myself and my friends here are your friends--your children.
We have used our weapons against your enemies. And for many years we
have received liberal presents from this country, which have made us
quite happy and comfortable in our wigwams.
"Mother--The chief who has just spoken, and myself, have fought and
bled by the side of the greatest warrior who ever lived--Tecumseh.
"Mother--Our hearts are glad at what we have this day seen--that we
have been allowed to see your face. And when we get home our words
will be listened to in the councils of our nation.
"This is all I have to say."
After his speech the War-chief resumed his seat upon the floor; and as
her Majesty could not be supposed to reply to his speech, she called
upon the Prince, who thanked them for the amusement they had afforded
her Majesty, who felt a deep interest in their welfare, and thankful to
the old chief for the noble and religious sentiments expressed in his
remarks.
After this the Indians rose and gave their favourite, the PIPE
DANCE, which seemed to afford much amusement to the Royal party.
The Queen and the Prince then graciously bowed and took leave, thanking
them, through the interpreter, for the amusement they had afforded
them. The Indians at the same moment shouldered their robes and
retired, sounding their war-whoop to the amusement of the servants of
the household, who had assembled to the amount of some hundreds in the
galleries of the hall.
[Illustration: N^o. 6.]
They were now in the waiting-room again, where, to their surprise
(and no little satisfaction), they found that the table they had seen
so splendidly arranged was intended for their own entertainment, and
was now ready for the "set-to." Mr. Murray announced it as ready, and
we all went to work. Mr. Rankin, who had been seated in the gallery
during the presentation, having joined the party, had now taken
his seat with them at the table. With his usual kindness, Mr. Murray
insisted on carving the roast-beef and helping them around, and next in
drinking the Queen's health, which is customary at all public dinners.
For this the first bottle of champagne was opened; and when the cork
flew and the wine was pouring into glasses, the Indians pronounced
the word "_Chick-a-bob-boo!_" and had a great laugh. A foaming glass
of it was set before each Indian; and when it was proposed to drink
to Her Majesty's health, they all refused. I explained to Mr. Murray
the promise they were under to drink no spirituous liquor while in the
kingdom. Mr. Murray applauded their noble resolution, but said at the
same time that this was not _spirituous liquor_--it was a light wine,
and could not hurt them; and it would be the only time they could
ever drink to Her Majesty so properly, and Her Majesty's health could
not be refused by Her Majesty's subjects. When again urged they still
refused, saying "We no drink--can't drink." They seemed however to be
referring it to me, as all eyes were alternately upon me and upon their
glasses, when I said to them--"Yes, my good fellows, drink; it will
not hurt you. The promise you have made to Mr. Rankin and myself will
not be broken--it did not contemplate a case like this, where it is
necessary to drink the Queen's health. And again, this is _champagne_,
and not _spirituous liquor_, which you have solemnly promised to
avoid."--"_How! how! how!_" they all responded, and with great delight
all joined in "health to the Queen!" And as each glass was emptied
to the bottom, they smacked their lips, again pronouncing the word
"_Chick-a-bob-boo! Chick-a-bob-boo!_" with a roar of laughter among
themselves.
Mr. Murray and I becoming anxious to know the meaning of
_chick-a-bob-boo_, it was agreed that the War-chief (who had a dry but
amusing way of relating an anecdote) should give us the etymology of
the word _chick-a-bob-boo_, which they said was manufactured but a few
years since in their country. The old Boy-chief, who was not a stranger
to _chick-a-bob-boo_, nor to good jokes, said that the "War-chief
couldn't tell a story well unless his lips were kept moist;" and he
proposed that we should drink Mr. Murray's health before he commenced.
So the champagne was poured again, and, the Hon. Mr. Murray's health
being drank, the War-chief proceeded by saying--that "Only a few years
since, when the white men were bringing so much rum and whiskey into
the little village where he lives, that it was making them all sick,
and killing a great many, the chiefs decided in council that they would
tomahawk every keg of whiskey the white men should bring in; and it had
the effect of keeping them away, and their people, who had been drunk
and sick, were getting well.
"Not long after that," continued he, "a little old man with red hair,
who used to bring us bags of apples, got in the way of bringing in one
end of his bag a great many bottles filled with something that looked
much like whiskey, but which, when we smelled it, and tasted it, we
found was not _fire-water_, and it was much liked by the chiefs and
all; for they found, he said, it was good, and would not make Indians
drunk. He sold much of this to the Indians, and came very often; and
when he had carried it a great way on his horse, and in the sun, it
sometimes became very impatient to get out of the bottles; and it
was very amusing to see the little old man turn a crooked wire into
the bottle to pull out the stopper, when one was holding a cup ready
to catch it. As he would twist the wire in, it would go _chee--e--_;
and when he poured it out, it would say, _pop-poo, pop-poo_.[8] This
amused the women and children very much, and they called it at first
_chee-pop-poo_, and since, _chick-a-bob-boo_. And this the old man with
red hair told us at last was nothing but the juice of apples, though we
found it very good; and yet it has made some very drunk."
[8] This word must be _whispered_, as the War-chief gave it, and not
_spoken_, to be appreciated--after the mode of Indians in their
imitations, or exclamations of surprise.
This story of the War-chief amused Mr. Murray very much, and he ordered
one of the waiters to "twist the crooked wire" into the neck of another
bottle or two of the _chick-a-bob-boo_ and "pull out the little
stoppers," for he was going to propose that we all drink to the health
of Prince Albert, who could never be neglected when her Majesty's
health was drunk. This was done with enthusiasm; and the old chief
soon proposed to drink Mr. Rankin's health, and my health, which were
attended to; and he at length thought of the fat porter in scarlet and
gold lace, whom he had passed at the door, and who at this moment, with
several others in gold lace and powdered hair, were gathering around
the table to take a glass or two of _chick-a-bob-boo_ with them. This
happened at a good time, and Mr. Rankin commenced the anecdote of the
old chief having mistaken the porter Sykes for Prince Albert just as
Mr. Murray and I withdrew from the room to proceed to town.
I visited the Indians in their rooms that evening, and found them in
good spirits, having been well pleased by her Majesty's kind reception,
and also delighted with the _chick-a-bob-boo_, and the liberal
construction that had been put upon their sacred engagement "not to
drink spirituous liquors." Mr. Rankin gave me an amusing account of the
old chief's second interview with the porter Sykes, and their manner
of taking leave when they were parting to meet no more. "Their pipes,"
he said, "were lit when they took their omnibus to return, and their
joyful songs and choruses made it a _travelling music-box_ the whole
way to town."
I had come upon them at the moment when they were taking their
coffee--a habit they had got into as one of the last things before
going to bed. When they finished their coffee they lit the pipe, and
there were many comments from different parts of the room upon what
they had seen during the day. The Queen was of course the engrossing
theme for their thoughts and their remarks; and though so well pleased
with her kindness to them, they were evidently disappointed in her
personal appearance and dress. Her Majesty was attired in a simple and
unadorned dress of black, and wore apparently no ornaments whatever
at the time of their presentation, affording the poor fellows nothing
either in her stature or costume to answer to the fancied figure of
majesty which they had naturally formed in their minds, and were
convinced they were going to see. They had, on first entering the
room, taken the Duchess of Kent for the Queen, and said they were not
apprised of their error until they heard me address the Queen as "Her
Majesty."
They were advancing many curious ideas (over the pipe) as to the
government of the greatest and richest country in the world being in
the hands of a woman, and she no larger than many of the Indian girls
at the age of twelve or thirteen years. I explained to them the manner
in which she was entitled to the crown, and also how little a king or
queen has actually to do in the government of such a country; that it
is chiefly done by her ministers, who are always about her, and men
of the greatest talents, and able to advise her. And the old chief,
who had been listening attentively to me, as he was puffing away at
his pipe, said, he was inclined to think it was the best thing for the
country. "I am not sure," said he, "but it is the safest way; for if
this country had a king instead of a queen, he might be ambitious as a
great warrior, and lead the country into war with other nations: now,
under her government there is peace, and the country is happy."
Many jokes were passed upon the old chief for having mistaken the
porter Sykes for Prince Albert, and for having brought his pipe of
peace back, having been afraid to present it. They had many remarks
to make also upon the little girl whom her Majesty took by the hand;
they told her she turned pale, and they were afraid she would grow up
a white woman. They now, for the first time, thought of the Queen's
little children, and wondered they had not seen them: they thought they
ought, at least, to have seen the Prince of Wales. Daniel, they said,
had long since told them how old he was, and that he was to be the
next king of England. He had also read to them his long names, which
had pleased them very much, which they never could recollect, but would
have written down.
The conversation again, and for some time, ran upon the deliciousness
of her Majesty's chickabobboo, and also upon the presents which they
had imagined would have been made to them, and which I assured them
they might feel quite easy about, as they would come in due time
according to the custom. So were they whiling away the evening of this
memorable day, and I left them.
The grand point having been made, their visit to the Queen, the Indians
seemed in good spirits to meet the greetings of the public, amongst
whom the daily paragraphs in the papers, and their occasional drives
through the streets, had excited the most intense curiosity. The place
for their operations was prepared for them in the Egyptian Hall; and
in the midst of my Indian collection, as in Manchester, a platform was
erected on which their dances and other amusements were to be given.
Having been without any exciting occupation for more than a month, in
daily anticipation of their visit to the Queen, the Indians had become,
as well as the public, impatient for the opening of their exhibition,
which seemed requisite for their amusement as well as necessary for
their accustomed bodily exercise.
Their first evening's amusements being announced, the large room of the
Egyptian Hall was filled at an early hour, and the Indians received
with a roar of applause as they entered and advanced upon the platform.
I came on by their side, and after they had seated themselves upon the
platform, entered upon my duty, that of explaining to the audience
who these people were, whence they came, and what were their objects
in visiting this country. I also introduced each one personally by
his name, to the audience, and briefly described their costumes,
weapons, &c., and they were then left to commence as they chose, with
their dances and other amusements. Indian looks and Indian costumes,
&c., were supposed to have been pretty well understood before this,
by most of the audience, who had studied them at their leisure in my
rooms on former occasions; but Indian dances and Indian yells, and the
war-whoop, had been from necessity postponed and unappreciated until
the present moment, when the sudden yell and scream of the whole party
(as they sprang upon their feet) announced the war-dance as having
commenced. The drum was beating, rattles were shaking, war-clubs and
tomahawks and spears were brandishing over their heads, and all their
voices were shouting (in time with the beat of the drum and the stamps
of their feet) the frightful war-song!
With the exception of some two or three women (whose nerves were not
quite firm enough for these excitements, and who screamed quite as
loud as the Indians did, as they were making a rush for the door) the
audience stood amazed and delighted with the wildness and newness of
the scene that was passing before them; and, at the close of the dance,
united in a round of applause, which seemed to please the Indians as
much as seeing the Queen.
Like all actors, they were vain of their appearance, and proud of
applause, and (rather luckily for them, and unlike the painful
excitements that fall to the lot of most actors' lives) they were sure
of the applause which sympathy brings, and exempt from that censure
which often falls heavily upon those whose acting the audience is able
to criticise.
According to their custom, after the war-dance was finished, the
Indians seated themselves upon the platform and lit their long pipe,
which they were almost constantly smoking. This pipe was filled with
their own native tobacco (k'nick-k'neck), and passed around from one
to the other for a few whiffs, according to the usage of all the
American tribes. I took this opportunity of explaining to the audience
the meaning of the war-dance, the war-whoop, &c., and whilst I was up,
was so overwhelmed with questions (all of which I felt disposed to
answer) that I found it exceedingly difficult to sit down again. These
questions were put for the purpose of gaining information which it was
my wish to give; and having patiently answered a number of them, I
stated to the audience that I believed the explanations I should throw
out in the course of the evening in my own way, would answer nearly
every question that they would be disposed to put, and I begged they
would allow me as much time and opportunity to give them as possible.
This was responded to by acclamation all around the room, and the
exhibition proceeded by the Indians wishing me to announce that they
were to give the _wa-be-no_ (or mystery) dance. This eccentric and
droll dance caused much merriment among the audience, and gained them
hearty applause again; after which, they being seated as usual, with
the pipe passing around, I proceeded with my explanation, which done,
I was requested by the interpreter to announce that the old chief had
something which he wished to say to the audience, and was going to make
a speech. There was a great expression of satisfaction at this, evinced
among the crowd, which seemed to give fire to the eye, and youth to the
visage of the old man as he rose and said,--
"My friends--It makes our hearts glad when we hear your feet stamp
upon the floor, for we know then that you are pleased, and not
angry." (Great applause.)
The old man then straightened himself up in the attitude of an orator,
and, throwing his buffalo robe over his shoulder, and extending his
right arm over the heads of his audience, he proceeded:--
"My friends and brothers--These young men and women and myself have
come a great way to see you, and to see our GREAT MOTHER THE
QUEEN. The Great Spirit has been kind to us, for we are all
well, and we have seen her face. ('_How, how, how!_')
"My friends--We know that the Saganoshes in our country all come from
this place; they are our friends there, and we think they will not
be our enemies here. ('_How, how, how!_' and immense applause, with
'Hear, hear, hear,' from the audience.)
"My friends--You see I am old, and my words are few; some of my
younger men may talk longer than I can. I hope our noise is not too
great. ('No, no,' from every part of the room: 'The more noise the
better, my good fellows.')
"Brothers--My young men will finish their dances in a little while,
when we will be glad to give you our hands." ("_How, how, how!_"
great applause, and "Hear, hear.")
The venerable old man then resumed his seat; and at that moment, as
the pipe was preparing, Daniel was making his way through the crowd,
with one hand raised above the heads of the audience, conveying a large
square letter, which he was endeavouring to hand to me. On opening the
letter and reading, I found it was from the Honourable Mr. Murray, and,
with permission of the audience, I read thus:--
"Dear Sir,--I have great pleasure to inform you that I am instructed
by Her Majesty to transmit to you the enclosed 20_l._ note to be
given to the Ojibbeway chiefs; and also to say that Her Majesty
has instructed me to order to be made, as soon as possible, an
entire piece of plaid, of Her Majesty's colours, which is also to
be presented to them in her name, as an evidence of Her Majesty's
friendship for them, and solicitude for their welfare. I have
transmitted the order for the plaid, and as soon as it can be
prepared I shall send it to them.
"I have the honour to be,
dear Sir, yours, &c. &c.
"CHAS. AUG. MURRAY,
"_Master of Her Majesty's Household, Buckingham Palace._
"_To Geo. Catlin, Esq._"
*/
The reading of this letter called forth a round of applause, which the
Indians did not seem to understand until its contents were interpreted
to them by Cadotte, when they received the bank-note with a yell or
two, and then gathered around it to examine it, and to make out, if
they could, how it could be a present of 20_l._, or (in American
currency, which they were a little more familiar with) 100 dollars.
That they might better appreciate it, however, I sent Daniel to the
door with it, who in a few moments brought back twenty sovereigns,
which were placed in the chief's hand, and, being better understood,
were soon divided equally, and put into the pouches which were
attached to their belts.
The War-chief (who was not much of an orator, and always seemed
embarrassed when he spoke) then rose, and advanced to the front of the
platform to offer his acknowledgments. He held his long pipe to his
lips, and, drawing several deep breaths of smoke to his lungs, and
pouring it out through his nostrils, at length began:--
"My friends--I can't speak--I never speak. (Great applause, and he
smoked again.)
"My friends--My heart and my tongue were never made to live together.
(Roar of applause, and '_How, how, how!_') Our chief is old, and his
words few: he has told you that the Great Spirit has been kind to us,
and that we have seen the face of our Great Mother the Queen. We have
all thanked the Great Spirit for this, and we all wish to thank our
Great Mother now for the presents she has sent us. She is not here,
and we can't thank her; but we see these presents pass through your
hands, and we wish to thank you. ('_How, how, how!_' and 'Hear.')
"Brothers--I have no more to say, but I shall be glad in a little
time to offer you my hand." ("_How, how, how!_" and applause.)
The audience were now prepared, and the Indians also, for the
_pipe-dance_, one of the most spirited and picturesque of their dances,
and which they gave with great effect. It was then announced that the
Indians would seat themselves on the front of the platform, where
all the visitors who desired it might have an opportunity to advance
and shake hands with them. This afforded the visitors a gratifying
opportunity of getting nearer to them, and disposed many to be liberal
to them, who gave them money and trinkets to a considerable amount.
Thus passed their first night of exhibition in London. The audience
gradually drew off, and the Indians, at length seeing a space through
which they could pass, gathered up their weapons, &c., and retired to
their private rooms, leaving Daniel to answer to, and explain, all
the curious surmises and questions that had been raised in the minds
of the audience during the evening, and not explained; amongst whom
(he told me the next day) there were at least a dozen who wished to
know "in what way the Indians were _taken_--whether with a lasso or
in a sort of pit," as they had heard of their taking wild oxen, &c.
Half a dozen inquired what part of the Indies they were from; twenty
or more "whether Cooper's descriptions of the Red Indians were true;"
several "whether they eat the scalps;" and one desired to be informed
"if it was actually necessary to cross the ocean to get to America,
or whether it was not attached to the mainland." Several ladies were
waiting to inquire "whether the Indians actually had no beards;" and
a great number of women after these, some of whom lingered patiently
until all other questions had been answered, begged to know "whether
the interpreter and the handsome little fellow _Sah-mah_ were married."
Mr. Rankin and myself, as usual, went into the Indians' apartments to
smoke a pipe with them after the fatigues of the evening were over, and
we found the poor fellows in an unusually pleasant humour, counting
over and showing the money and trinkets which they had received from
the visitors, and also the money sent by the Queen, which, to be
divided more exactly _per capita_ (their mode of dividing presents),
they had got changed into silver.
Their high excitement and exhilaration convinced us that it was the
very sort of life they required to lead to secure their health; and
their remarks upon the incidents that had transpired in the room, as
well as things they discovered in the crowd, were exceedingly amusing
and caused them a great deal of merriment whilst they were repeating
them over. In the midst of all this they often uttered the exciting
word _Chickabobboo_; and it occurred to Mr. Rankin and myself as a
suitable occasion to explain to them that we had no objection to
their having each a glass of ale at their dinner, and also after the
exceeding fatigues of their dances at night. We told them "that, in
binding them in the promise they had made, and so far kept, it never
entered our heads that they were not to be allowed an occasional
glass of wine or ale--luxuries of which nearly all the good people
of England, ladies as well as gentlemen, and even divines, partook in
a moderate way. We believed that they would use as much discretion in
taking those things as English fashionable people did, and felt quite
sure they would keep their promise with us. I told them that this ale
which I had just mentioned was a very fine drink, and we thought that,
though it was not quite as good as the Queen's _chickabobboo_, yet they
would like it, and that a glass of it at dinner, and also after their
night's fatigues, would give them strength and be of service to them.
I told them also that we had just sent for a jug of it (at that moment
coming in), that they might try it, and see whether they liked it."
"_How, how, how!_" resounded through the whole house; and each, as he
emptied his glass, shouted "_Chickabobboo! chickabobboo! ne-she-sheen!
ne-she-sheen!_" (good, good). So we agreed that, if on the next
morning they should pronounce its effects to be pleasing, they should
be allowed a similar quantity every day at dinner, and also at night,
instead of the strong coffee they were accustomed to drink before going
to bed.
We then left them; and thus finished our first day's labours and
excitements at the Egyptian Hall.