1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

141

should be called Old Tom by the publicans and lower orders of London has sometimes puzzled those who are inquisitive enough to consider the subject etymo- The answer may, perhaps, be found in a curious book, called "The Life and Uncommon Ad- ventures of Captain Dudley Bradstreet, Dublin, r755." Captain Dudley, a government spy of the Count Fathom species, after declaring that the selling of Geneva in a less quantity than two gallons had been prohibited, says: "Most of the gaols were full, on account of this Act, and it occurred to me to venture upon the trade. I got an acquaintance to rent a house I then got it well secured, and laid out in a bed and other furniture five pounds, in provision and drink that would keep, about two pounds, and purchased in Moorfields the sign of a cat and had it nailed to a street window. I then caused a leaden pipe, the small end out about an inch, to be placed under the paw of the cat, the end that was within had a funnel to it. " When my house was ready for business I inquired what distiller in London was most famous for good gin, and was assured by several that it was Mr. L dale, in Holborn.^ To him I went, and laid out thirteen pounds. . . . The cargo was sent to my house, at the back of which there was a way to go in or out. When the liquor was properly disposed, I got a person ^ Whose premises were burnt down during the Lord George Gordon riots. Dickens immortalized Langdale in Barnaby Rudge, The distillery ^s still in existence at the same place. logically. in Blue Anchor Alley, in St, Luke's parish, who privately conveyed his bargain to me :