214 NATURE NEAR LONDON. 



coat. It is just what he has been wishing these many 

 seasons. 



" Here's to thee, mine lioncst 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 ! must break my fast." 



Upon a cup a somewhat Chinese arrangement of 

 words is found : — 



