Comes MR. GOLLOPE, this being his Birth-day, to bid me to go dine with
him and a Company of some Half-dozen of our Acquaintance, off Whitebait
at Blackwall. So we first to London Bridge, on Foot, walking for an
Appetite, and there took Water, and down the River in a Steam-Boat, with
great Pleasure, enjoying the Breeze, and the View of the Shipping, and
also the Prospect of a good Dinner. Landed at the Pier, and as fast as
we could to LOVEGROVE'S, where our Table engaged in the large Room. But
good Lack! to see the Fulness of the Place, every Table almost crowded
with eager Eaters, the Heaps of Whitebait among them, and they with open
Mouths and Eyes shovelling Spoonful after Spoonful into their Plates and
thence thrusting them five or six at a Time into their Chaps. Then, here
and there, a fat Fellow, stopping, out of Breath, to put down his Knife
and Fork, and gulp a Goblet of iced Punch, was mighty droll; also to
hear others speaking with their Mouths full. But Dinner coming, I cared
not to look about me, there being on Table some dozen different Dishes
of Fish, whereof the Sight did at first bewilder me, like the Donkey
between the Haystacks, not knowing which to choose; and MR. GOBLESTONE
do lament that at a Feast with Plenty of good Things he never was able
to eat his Fill of every one. A Dish of Salmon with India-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 Discourse 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.
[Illustration: _YE SPORT OF PUNTE FYSHYNGE OFF RYCHMONDE._