1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

2i6 the flowing bowl took the form of champagne ; and the merits of a sherry cobbler are fully recognized by Martin, who subsequently, however, fared badly in the way of wines and spirits whilst in the States, Eden, that alleged "prosperous city," appears to have possessed neither pawn-shop, place of worship, nor drinking-bar ; and the comparative delights of the " Dragon " on the return of Mark and Martin to Wiltshire are made delightfully apparent. As for the bad characters. Chevy Slyme loafed in a chronic state of eleemosynary drink, until he joined the police force, whilst Montague Tigg fared sumptuously on the best of liquor—including old Maderia—until knocked on the head by the villain Jonas, who also appears to have been a bit of a soaker, when he could get his drink for nothing. Mrs. Gamp's wants were few and simple, but she insisted upon a regular supply, and got it. Leaving solid sustenance out, she stipulated for "a pint ofmild porter at lunch, a pint at dinner, half a pint as a species of stay or holdfast between dinner and tea, and a pint of the celebrated staggering ale, or Real Old Brighton Tipper, at supper ; b^esides the bottle on the chimney-piece, and such casual invitations to refresh herself with wine as the good breeding of her employers might prompt them to offer." And she never exceeded the allowance of a shillingsworth of gin-and-water warm when she rang the bell a second time after supper. She must have cost as much to keep as a steam-yacht. The contents of Mrs. G.'s teapot, on the occasion of her historic quarrel with Betsy Prig, are alluded to.