A curious Discourse that passed between the Twenty-five Letters at dinner time.
A 1. Says, A, give me a good large slice.
B 2. Says B, a little bit but nice.
C 3. Says C, cut me a piece of crust.
D 4. Take it, says D, ’tis dry as dust.
E 5. Says E, I’ll eat it fast, who will?
F 6. Says F, I vow I’ll have my fill.
G 7. Says G, give it me both good and great.
H 8. Says H, a little bit I hate.
I 9. Says I, I love the juice the best.
K 10. And K, the very same confess’d.
L 11. Says L, there’s nothing more I love.
M 12. Says M, it makes your teeth to move.
N 13. N notic’d what the others said,
O 14. O, others plates with grief survey’d.
P 15. P prais’d the cook up to the life.
Q 16. Q quarrell’d because he’d a bad knife.
R 17. Says R, it runs short I’m afraid.
S 18. S, silent sat and nothing said.
T 19. T, thought that talking might lose time.
U 20. U understood it at meals a crime.
W 21. W wish’d there had been a quince in.
X 22. Says X, those cooks there’s no convincing.
Y 23 Says Y, I’ll eat, let others wish.
Z 24. Z sat as mute as any fish.
& 25. While & he lick’d the dish.
Having concluded their discourse and dinner together, I have nothing more to add; but if my little readers are pleased with what they have found in this book they have nothing to do but to run to J. Paul & Co’s., 2, & 3, Monmouth Court; 7 Dials, where they may have a great variety of books not less entertaining than this of the same size and price.
But that you may not think I leave you too abruptly, I here present you with the picture of dame Dumpling, who made the Apple pie you have been reading about; she has several more in her basket, and she promised that if you are good children you shall never go to bed supperless while she has one left. But as good people always ask a blessing, as a token that you are good and deserve a pie, you must learn the two following Graces, that one be said before your meals, and the other after.
Grace before Meat.
Good Lord, bless us, and these thy creatures, to our use, which we are about to receive, of thy bounteous liberality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.