1869 Cooling Cups and Dainty drinks by William Terrington

158

Cups, 8fc.

The ampulla (or vessel for carrying the wine) was covered with leather, and may justly claim to be the original “ leathern bottel.”

“ I wish that his soul in heaven may dwell Who first invented the leathern bottel.”

These “ bottels ” were very different affairs to the tankards of leather known as “ Black Jacks,” one or more of which are still preserved at the Hospital of the Holy Cross, near Winchester. The origin of the term “bumper” is ascribed to the French phrase “ bon pere,” or boon companion. “If it be true, good wine needs no bush.” The derivation of this term is owing to the ancient custom of the Romans hangings a branch of ivy, a plant sacred to Bacchus, over the wine- shop door, and hence their proverb, “ Vendible wine needs no ivy hung up.” This custom has been adopted in many wine countries. Bosley , or boosy, is undoubtedly an allusion to a familiar acquaintance with the friendly shade of the bush, where, “ in his cup, the boosy poet sings.” Pegging away is derived from the peg tankard which held 2 quarts of ale, studded with a row of 8 pins at equal distances, so as to allow a £ pint between each pin ; hence the phrase, also, of a man in his cups being a peg higher or lower.