[196] McMaster, History of the People of the United States, i. 273.
[197] Hening, ii. 192. An old satirical writer mentions the same custom at a Maryland inn, where, however, he did not seem in all respects to relish his supper:—
So after hearty Entertainment
Of Drink and Victuals without Payment;
For Planters Tables, you must know,
Are free for all that come and go.
While Pon and Milk, with Mush well stoar’d,
In Wooden Dishes grac’d the Board;
With Homine and Syder-pap,
(Which scarce a hungry dog would lap)
Well stuff’d with Fat from Bacon fry’d,
Or with Mollossus dulcify’d.
Then out our Landlord pulls a Pouch
As greasy as the Leather Couch
On which he sat, and straight begun
To load with Weed his Indian Gun....
His Pipe smoak’d out, with aweful Grace,
With aspect grave and solemn pace,
The reverend Sire walks to a Chest;...
From thence he lugs a Cag of Rum.
The night had for our traveller its characteristic American nuisance:—
Not yet from Plagues exempted quite,
The Curst Muskitoes did me bite;
Till rising Morn and blushing Day
Drove both my Fears and Ills away;
but the morning-meal seems to have made amends:—
I did to Planter’s Booth repair,
And there at Breakfast nobly Fare
On rashier broil’d of infant Bear:
I thought the Cub delicious Meat,
Which ne’er did ought but Chesnuts eat.
Ebenezer Cook, The Sot-Weed Factor; or, a Voyage to Maryland, London, 1708, pp. 5, 9.
[198] For the description of the planter’s house and its surroundings I am much indebted to the admirable work of Mr. Bruce, chap. xii.
[199] Beverley, History and Present State of Virginia, book iv. p. 56.