TO BRIGHTON 187 



With long-barrelled flint-lock guns they ranged over 

 that wonderful map of the land which lies spread out at 

 your feet as you look down from the Dyke. There are 

 already yellowing leaves ; they will be brown after a 

 while, and the covers will be ready once more for the 

 visit of the hounds. The toast upon this mug would be 

 very gladly drunk by the agriculturist of to-day in his 

 silk hat and black coat. It is just what he has been 

 wishing these many seasons. 



" Here's to thee, mine honest friend, 

 Wishing these hard times to mend." 



Hard times, then, are nothing new. 



" It is good ale," is the inscription on another jug ; 

 that jug would be very welcome if so filled in many a 

 field this very day. " Better luck still " is a jug motto 

 which every one who reads it will secretly respond to. 

 Cock-fighting has gone by, but we are even more than 

 ever on the side of fair play, and in that sense can 

 endorse the motto, " May the best cock win." A cup 

 desires that fate should give 



" Money to him who has spirit to use it, 

 And life to him who has courage to lose it." 



A mug is moderate of wishes and somewhat cynical : 



" A little health, a little wealth, 



A little house, and freedom ; 

 And at the end a little friend, 

 And little cause to need him." 



The toper, if he drank too deep, sometimes found a 

 frog or newt at the bottom (in china) a hint not to be 

 too greedy. There seem to have been sad dogs about 

 in those days from the picture on this piece one sniff- 

 ing regretfully at the bunghole of an empty barrel : 



" This cask when stored with gin I loved to taste, 

 But now a smell, alas 1 must break my fast." 



