The Annals of the Barber-Surgeons of London

by Unknown

And there were sometimes rather shady doings after the dinners, thus:

10th July, 1729. Mem̃dm. M^r Truelove & M^r Fradin carried away y^e next morning after y^e feast four Dozen Quarts of Wine, One whole Venison pasty, One whole Goose, one whole fowl, & several lemons & sugar.

1st February, 1732. Mr. John Atkinson and the other Stewards of the Mayor’s feast, employed a cook of their own, and “did make a most scandalous Dinner for y^e Co.,” whereupon order was given that in future no other than the “Standing Cooke” of the Company should be employed.

One is astounded at the quantity of wine which appears to have been imbibed at some of these dinners; take, for example, the following on Lord Mayor’s Day, 1735, and note that it is especially stated that the wine was “drank at the said feast”:

Paid for the following quantitys of wine provided for and drank at the said feast, viz^t.

To Mr Standert for 21 Gall Red Port  2 Gall Lisben  2 Gall Mountaine  2 Gall Canary 29 Bottles lost To Mr Gaywood for 20 Gall Red Port  2 Gall Mountaine  2 Gall Lisbone  2 Gall Canary To Mr. Pierce for  2 Gall Lisben  2 Gall Mountaine  2 Gall Canary 20 Gall Red Port	6	6	0
	0	12	0
	0	12	0
	0	13	0
	0	4	10
	6	0	0
	0	12	0
	0	12	0
	0	13	0
	0	12	0
	0	12	0
	0	13	0
	6	0	0

By the above account these thirsty old Barber-Surgeons seem to have consumed no less than 79 Gallons of wine at this dinner.

15th July, 1736. 56 gallons of wine were drunk at the Ladies’ feast.

21st July, 1726. It is order^d That from henceforward at all publick Feasts or Dinners to be held or made at the Hall the Cook of the Company for the time being shall before he sends the Dinner into the Hall deliver to the Clark of the Company at his House his Messe of meat consisting of six compleat dishes according to the Ancient laws and usage of the Company in that behalf the same being the ancient ffee & Perquisite of the Clerk.