Yesterday I went to take tea in the temple with Mr. M. T. Baines who is being brought up to what I was brought to — the bar. While quaffing his nectar your basket of ambrosia2 arrived with an apology — both are admitted.
You are "sorry this fellow is no larger" — keep sorrow to yourself John, I have "enough on't". Last year you sent us "Gog" — that "fellow" was a "giant" be it known to you, and so might this have been if you had regarded the life of the "ding-dong" rather than the seasonable sustenance of me and mine. You did right, John, according to the constitution of things, to slay him for our use today. "Carpe diem" an old poet that I cann't read, said of old days, and so I say of days to come which, being translated is, according to Francis, as, on reference to Francis, "will more fully and at large appear." Be satisfied — I am—or shall be in half an hour; within which time, or space of time, to wit, the said or aforesaid half an hour, being an equal moiety or half part of an hour, dinner will be ready.
Health to you John! Wassail to your good wife John! Wassail to all around your coal-fire John! Largess! Largess! may you be able to cry and dispense to your friends and neighbours. A boon! a boon! may you be able to grant to all poor creatures who need it for a century to come! Take of the good before you, stir your fire, laugh notwithstanding Chesterfield, take of the good again, let your lungs ring out wassail and the lungs of your young ones and guests ring wassail till sides and cheeks ache with merriment and laughter—so may your time be spent at Bungay.
My wife and I, united as yours and you are, desire our united kindnesses to Mrs Childs and you and in spite of unfashionableness heartily wish you a sportive Christmas and a happy new Year.
[Postscript:]
P. S. If you see
Mr. Edwards tell him I have a [deserving][?] proof of his portrait of Ben
Jonson hanging in my own room and that I say there is no other
portrait of rare Ben but rare Edwards's —it is a capital print. What does such a
man as that translator of Athenson's picture do at Bungay?
Any new bellman's verses or carols this year? any old ones? Anything else in my way, that nobody at Bungay cares about? No old ballads? No old customs to tell me of, and to describe? Nothing? No old Father Cmas? No mummings? No plough days? no Mayings? or aleings or soulings? nothing? nothing?3 Ah John! I'll 'squire you for this.
[Addressed:]
For:
John Childs Esq.
Bungay,
Suffolk