CORPORATION TABLE TALK.
THE serious importance of Table Talking has been recognised by the City of London Corporation Commission, who have examined, as a witness, one of the Mansion House tables. The answers which they obtained by its means are important, as bearing on the question of Aldermanic agency.
No sooner had the Commissioners placed their hands on the table than it began to move, evidently not from any involuntary muscular action, for to whatever extent those gentlemen pushed their inquiries, they did not push the table.
The following interrogatories were then put to the table, which rapped out the corresponding replies in the usual manner by striking with one of its legs, once for the affirmative, and twice for the negative, or giving the floor a knock at each of the several letters required to form a word, as the Chairman ran his pencil over the Alphabet:—
1. How old are you? The table rapped so many times that the Commissioners were tired, and directed it to stop, which it did.
2. Are you older than the oldest inhabitant?—Yes.
3. Did you know Walworth?—Intimately.
4. Was Whittington a man or a myth?—Both.
5. Was he Lord Mayor of London?—Yes.
6. Three times?—Yes.
7. Used he and the Aldermen to dine together?—Sometimes.
8. What was the principal delicacy at their banquets?—Rapped out "Ox."
9. Was it roasted?—Yes.
10. Whole?—Yes.
11. With a pudding in its belly?—Yes.
12. Was there venison pasty?—Yes.
13. Did a Member of the Corporation ever eat a whole one?—Yes.
14. Name the individual?—Spelt "Gog."
15. Was he an Alderman?—Yes.
16. Who was Magog?—Rapped "Mace."
17. Do you mean that he was Macebearer?—Yes.
18. For what was he celebrated?—Drink.
19. How much would he imbibe at a sitting?—Answered "Hogsheads."
20. Of iced punch?—No. Of ale?—Yes. Of canary?—Yes. Of Malvoisie?—Yes. Of each?—Yes.
21. Were statues erected to Gog and Magog to commemorate their exploits?—Yes. In eating and drinking?—Yes.
22. Are you in suffering?—Yes.
23. From the effects of overloading?—Yes. From Gout?—Yes. In one of your legs?—Yes. Can you move that leg?—No.
24. Does the recollection of what you have had to bear disgust you?—The table heaved violently.
25. Does conscience torment you?—Yes.
26. On account of the charities which you have served to consume?—Yes.
27. Have you often groaned under your burdens?—Yes.
28. Give the number of tureens of real turtle which you have borne in your time.—Rapped to the number of twenty thousand, and was continuing, when the time having arrived for the adjournment of the sitting, the examination of the table was postponed to another day.