All merriment goes doune.”
There is an exceedingly interesting Fulham ware flip mug, which bears an inscription on it showing that it once belonged to Alexander Selkirk, from whose adventures Defoe built up his story of “Robinson Crusoe.” Doubtless this mug accompanied the Scots sailor to the lonely island of Juan Fernandez when he set sail with the Cinque Ports galley—
“Alexander Selkirke. This is my one.
When you take me on board of ship,
Pray fill me full with punch or flipp.—1703,”
which suggests that it may have been a parting present from one of his friends.
Jugs and mugs with portraits of Nelson are not uncommon. A quart jug in white ware with crimson border has a man-of-war in full sail on one side, and on the other a copy of West’s picture of the “Death of General Wolfe,” probably made by Thomas Wolfe, of Stoke-on-Trent, who was related to the general. On one mug is a view of the Thames Tunnel and a portrait of the engineer Brunel, to commemorate the opening in 1843. We give as a headpiece a Sunderland jug from Mr. Honey’s collection, having floral decorations in purple lustre, and having on one side a picture of the “Columbus, the largest ship ever built.” On the reverse side are two jolly tars, and the inscription runs—
“Thus sailing at peril at sea or on shore,
We box the old compass right cheerly;
Toss the grog boys about, and a song or two more