Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-05-09
Jolly Old TImes in Edinhnrg.
lIorpet = Magazine Ior Apul

Life in Edinhurg during the last two
centuries appears to have been most
uncommonly jolly rs II humorist of
the time exprcssesit, Dissipation, even
among the highest class, prevailed 10 nm
lncreduable extent Chambers related
that nothing was more common in tho
morning than 10 meet men OF high
rank and official dignity reehng home
after night spent III drinking. A GER
tain famous lawyer named Hay never
considered himself fitted for business
until he had slowed away ut least six
bottles of elaret. There are many
hughablc anecdotes told of this pro.
pcnsity for midnight reycling, IL is
said that party of eminent lawyers
once met together To pass n Saturday
night with wine and cards. The hours
came and went and no account was
taken 10y the Jolly comrades of passing
time. The next forcnoonth the good PEG.
pile Of Ednburg, passing the house on
their way To church, We're astonished
by seeing the door open and three
well.known gentlemen issue forth, their
hair disheveled and their costume i'll
general disorder, while II fourth, with u
lighted candle in his han, was endcnv-
oring 10 show them the way down the
stairs. Even the ladies of that time nre
said not TO have been entirely free from
the prevailing sin, and the custom which
existed among thom OF resortins to so.
called oyster-cellars gives y curious idea
OF society during the last century, Raw
oysters and porter were the chief TO-
freshments to be enjoyed IN these cell
lars, and sometimes little rum punch.
Ladies and gentlemen INDUCED without
restraint III the merrlest conversation,
and the evening was generally concluded
with dancing. II is said tina. purity OF
ladies returning from one of these reyels,
being slightly confused in their minds,
were unable to determine where they
were. The night was bright moonlight,
so they continued walking until they
came to the square by the Iron
church. Here they encountered diff
iiculty. The broad shadow Of church
stceple fell across their path. Alter
bordering they came To the conclusion
that it must be broad stream which it
NOlIld w llilioN1iJ w Nlbno WYNN wy
could reach home. They accordingly
took oil their shoes and stockings,
tucked up their petticoats, and proceed.
ed to wade across. When they reached
the clear moonlight, in their eyes the
bank Of the stream, they put on their
shoes and proceeded. That these par-
ties were attended by the best classes is
shown by story told by Chambers.
He says, writing in 1924: "lt is not
more than thirty years since the late
Lord Melville, the Duchess Of Gordon,
and some other persons OF distinction,
who happened 10 meet in town after
many years Of absence, made up An
oyster-celar party by way Of irolic,
and devoted one winter evening to the
revival Of this almost forgotten enter
tainment Of their youth. Whist was
also a great passion among the Edln-
burg gentry, aud many curious stories
are told in regard TO it,. The sister Of
Sm0llet is said 10 have spent every mo
'ncnt of her leisure time at this game.
One evening city magistrate. who was
also a tallog-chandler called upon her.
" Come ava, bailie," sad she, 4" and
take trick at the cartes." Tr0th,
ma'am," said he, = hac nae n baw.
bee ii my pouch Tut, man, ne'er
mind that" she replied, let's cen
play for pund q candles