1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

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THE FLOWING BOWL

called " pale-punts," why or wherefore deponent sayeth not; here is the extract from a work pub lished A.D. 1691 ;— " Pale-punts, here vulgarly known by the name of Punch ; a drink compounded of brandy or aqua juice of lemons, oranges, sugar, or such like ; very usual amongst those that frequent the sea, where a bowl of punch is an usual beverage." But it was " usual" only in the days of sailing- ships and long voyages ; and with fast steamers and whole evenings devoted to the beauties of poker, or selling pools, a more usual modern maritime drink is a modicum of whisky diluted with aerated water. "The liquor called Punch," writes another professional authority, "has become so truly English, it is often supposed to be indigenous to this country, though its name at least is Oriental. The Persian punj^ or Sanscrit pancha^ i.e. five (vide Fryer's Travels)^ is the etymon of its title, and denotes the number of ingredients of which it is composed. Addison's 'fox-hunter,' who testified so much surprise when he found that of the materials of which this ' truly English' beverage was made only the water belonged to England, would have been still more astonished had his informant also told him that it derived even its name from the East." But did natives of the East drink it? Tell me that. "Various opinions are entertained respecting this compound drink. Some authors praise it as a cooling and refreshing beverage, when drunk

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