FAMILIAR LETTERS
such juice in it. There must be many ingredients in this liquor, from the many different tastes; some of which are sweet, others sour, and others bitter; but though it appeared so nauseous to me and my friend, that we could not swallow it, the English relish it very well; nay, they will often drink a gallon of it at a sitting; and sometimes in their cups (for it intoxicates) will wantonly give it the names of all our best wines.
However, though we found nothing to eat or drink, we found something to pay. I send you a copy of the bill produced us on this occasion, as I think it a curiosity
| s. | d. | |
| For Bred and Bear | 0 | 8 |
| Eating | 2 | 0 |
| Wind | 5 | 0 |
| Watermen's Eating and Lickor | 1 | 6 |
| 9 | 2 |
So that, with the drawer, we were at the expence of ten shillings; though no Catholic ever kept an Ash-Wednesday better.
The drawers here may want some explanation. You must know then, that in this country, in whatever house you eat or drink, whether private or public, you are obliged to pay the servants a fee at your departure, otherwise they certainly affront you.
These fees are called vails; and they serve instead of wages: for though in private houses the master generally contracts with his servant to give him
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