The Merry Past 



for the liberty he was about to take, said that he 

 should be most happy to drink Mr. Calvert's health 

 in a glass of his own brewing. *' I should be most 

 happy to drink yours too^'' replied that gentleman ; 

 " and, therefore," continued the newly returned 

 M.P., " we will walk into the counting-house, and 

 there you shall have a glass of the finest ale in the 

 kingdom ! " "I beg pardon," replied the modest 

 and domestic committee-man, " but my good lady 

 at home has a desire equally with myself to drink 

 health and long life to you, and to taste your October ; 

 so, with your permission," continued Mr. Illidge, 

 " I will send a mug^ in order to gratify Mrs. I. But, 

 sir, in the event of your not being at the brewery 

 when I send, do me the favour to give me a written 

 order that there may be no mistake." " By all 

 means," said Mr. Calvert, " and you shall have a mug 

 of the finest ale in the cellar ! " Whereupon the 

 member for Southwark wrote an order, and gave 

 it to the "free and independent elector," to the 

 following effect : 



" Fill Mr. Illidge's mug with the best ale in the 

 brewery. (Signed) '^ C. Calvert." 



The next day two men entered the premises with 

 a large hamper slung upon a pole, and carried between 

 them upon their shoulders, in which was a mug of the 

 extraordinary and appalling size of at least thirteen 

 gallons and a half. The men delivering the above 

 order to the " proper authority," the mug was im- 

 mediately " filled foaming to the brim " with " ale 



224 



