After a Dinner off Bubble and Squeak, my Wife and I to my LORD
WILKINSON'S At Home, by invitation; though Heaven knows if ever I set
Eyes on his Lordship 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
Shoulder-knot, who did shout out our Name, which, passing along a Row of
his Fellows lining the Stairs, was by the Time it reached the
Drawing-Room changed to PIPPINS--but no matter; and so we were presented
to my Lord and my Lady. So on 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 seeing 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
feared she should faint too, which made me mad; for it is always the Way
with Women at Spectacles and Assemblies, and yet they needs must and
will go to them. At some Distance before us, a Bustle and Stir, and in
the midst of it a Lackey with a Tray, whereon were Ices--the People
struggling for them; and I also strove to get one for my Wife; but the
Attempt vain, and we borne clear away by the Current to the other side
of the Room. Some young Beauties there, whom to have looked upon at my
Ease, and they at theirs, would have been a great delight; but they in
such Discomfort, that it quite spoilt their Prettiness, which was
pitiful. We met DR. DABBES the great Chemist, with whom some pretty
Discourse concerning the Air of crowded Rooms, which he said do contain
a Gas called Carbonic Acid, and is poisonous, and we were now breathing
too much per Cent. of it, which did trouble me. To think what Delight
fashionable Folks can take in crowding together, to the Danger of
Health, a Set of People, for the most Part, Strangers both to them and
to one another! Away early; for we could endure the Stifling no longer:
and good Lack, what a Relief to get into the open Air! My white Kid
Gloves soiled, cost me 3s. 6d.; but am thankful I carried with me my
Spring Hat, which do shut up; and did chuckle to see how many others got
their Hats crushed. Home in a Cab, and on the Way bought a Lobster,
whereunto my Wife would have me add a Bottle of Stout, which did think a
good Notion; cost me together 3s. 6d., and the Cab 2s. 6d. more, and
then to Supper; mighty proud that I had been invited by my Lord, though
utterly tired with his Party, and so with great Satisfaction, but much
Weariness, to Bed.
[Illustration: _A VIEW OF MR. LORDE HYS CRYKET GROUNDE._