"Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest.
Thursday is near; lay hand on heart, advise;
An' you be mine, I'll give you to my friend;
An' you be not, hang, beg, starve, die i' the streets."

ROMEO AND JULIET.

Wychecombe Hall, had most of the peculiarities of a bachelor's dwelling,
in its internal government; nor was it, in any manner, behind, or, it
might be better to say, before, the age, in its modes and customs
connected with jollifications. When its master relaxed a little, the
servants quite uniformly imitated his example. Sir Wycherly kept a
plentiful table, and the servants' hall fared nearly as well as the
dining-room; the single article of wine excepted. In lieu of the latter,
however, was an unlimited allowance of double-brewed ale; and the
difference in the potations was far more in the name, than in the
quality of the beverages. The master drank port; for, in the middle of
the last century, few Englishmen had better wine--and port, too, that
was by no means of a very remarkable delicacy, but which, like those who
used it, was rough, honest, and strong; while the servant had his malt
liquor of the very highest stamp and flavour. Between indifferent wine
and excellent ale, the distance is not interminable; and Sir Wycherly's
household, was well aware of the fact, having frequently instituted
intelligent practical comparisons, by means of which, all but the butler
and Mrs. Larder had come to the conclusion to stand by the home-brewed.

On the present occasion, not a soul in the house was ignorant of the
reason why the baronet was making a night of it. Every man, woman, and
child, in or about the Hall, was a devoted partisan of the house of
Hanover; and as soon as it was understood that this feeling was to be
manifested by drinking "success to King George, and God bless him," on
the one side; and "confusion to the Pretender, and his mad son," on the
other; all under the roof entered into the duty, with a zeal that might
have seated a usurper on a throne, if potations could do it.

When Admiral Bluewater, therefore, left the chamber of his friend, the
signs of mirth and of a regular debauch were so very obvious, that a
little curiosity to watch the result, and a disinclination to go off to
his ship so soon, united to induce him to descend into the rooms below,
with a view to get a more accurate knowledge of the condition of the
household. In crossing the great hall, to enter the d