186 
Bath life, but a few lucky notes will fairly help. John Wilkes 
being at Bath notes in his diary 
2 Jany 1773. Dined and supped at Captain Mathews, 
with Captain and Mrs Mathews, Miss Wilkes, Mr and 
Mrs Brown, Colonel, Mrs and Miss Gould, Captains Rice 
and Nugent. 
II Jany 1773. Dined at the mess of Captain Rice in 
Orange Court with Captains Rice, Mathews, 
Oliver, Fonnereau, and Day. 
13 Jany 1773. Dined at Dr Delacour’s in Prince’s Buildings 
with Mr and Mrs Delacour, Captains Howard and Mathews. 
14 Jany 1773. Dined and supped at Captain Mathews with 
Mr and Mrs Mathews, Miss Wilkes, Mr Day, Captains Rice 
and Howard. 
b] 
Passing over some years Wilkes was again at Bath for a 
short visit when he records— 
1 May 1778. Dined with Colonel Whitmore, at Miss 
Temples in Galloway Buildings, Captain Mathews and 
“Edward Morgan, esq. 
The allusion above to a dinner at Dr. Delacour’s is of some 
further interest for it forms part of an often repeated joke or 
pleasantry which was even considered worthy of being included 
in an edition of “Joe Miller.” It is headed 
No Variety. 
When Sam Foote was once at Bath he was asked what fare 
he usually had at Mr. Delacour’s table. Sir he replied—we 
have always a piece of beef, a saddle of mutton, a couple of 
chicken, and—-Captain Mathews.* Foote was fond of good 
living. An epigram criticising this habit tells that he kept 
A table so spread, and a cellar so stored, 
With a service of plate too-—Foote lives like a lord. 
* “Toe Miller” (Ward, Lock & Co.), Joke 657, p. 145. 
* «Wit and Wisdom or the World’s Jest Book,” Jest No. 848. 
* «Excerpta of Wit or Railway Companion,” p. 252. 
