1863 Cups and their customs

CUPS AND THEIR CUSTOMS.

38

Loving-cup is strictly observed. The guests are only supposed to take one draught from it as it passes ; but, in No. 110 of the ^Quarterly Review/ a writer says^ ^^ Yet it chanced, not long since at the Temple, that^ though the number present fell short of seventy, thirty-six quarts of the liquor were consumed.^^ Julep, derived from the Persian word Julap (a sweet- ened draught), is a beverage spoken of by John Quincey, the physician^ who died in 1723, and also mentioned by Milton in the lines This drink is now made by pounding ice and white sugar together, and adding to it a wine-glass of brandy, half a wine-glass of rum, and a piece of the outer rind of a lemon ; these ingredients are shaken violently, and two or three sprigs of fresh mint are stuck in the glass ; it is then usually imbibed through a straw, or stick of maccaroni. One of the oldest of winter beverages, and an especial favourite, both in ancient and modern times, in our Uni- versities, is ^^Bishop,^^ also known on the Continent under the somewhat similar name of Bischof. This, according to Swift, is composed of " Behold this cordial Julep here, That foams and dances in his crystal bounds, With spirits of balm and fragrant syrups mix'd.*'

'' Fine oranges, Well roasted, with sugar and wine in a cup, They'll make a sweet Bishop when gentlefolks sup.'^

This recipe is given verbatim in ^^ Oxford Night-caps.^^