THE 'CAT AND CUSTARD-POT' DAY 



him for 30 which he makes a mem. : ' to 

 call 50.' 



Meanwhile Pigg and Ben trotted on with the 

 hounds, and when they reached the meet the 

 sign of the Cat and Custard-Pot, on the Muswell- 

 road, they found an immense assemblage, some 

 of whom greeted Pigg with the familiar inquiry 

 ' what he 'd have to drink ? ' 



' Brandy ! ' replied Pigg, ' brandy ! ' and tossing 

 off the glass with great gusto, a second horseman 

 volunteered one, then a third, then a fourth, then 

 a fifth ; for it is observable that there are people 

 in the world will give away drink to any extent, 

 who yet would be chary of offering either money 

 or meat. Pigg, who as Mr. Jorrocks says in his 

 Journal, is only a lusus naturce, or loose 'un by 

 natur', tosses off glass after glass, smacking his 

 lips and slapping his thigh, getting noisier and 

 noisier with each succeeding potation. Now he 

 would sing them a song, now he would take the 

 odds ag'in Marley Hill, then he would tell them 

 about Deavilbogers' farm, and how, but for his 



67 



