punch: a drink containing five ingredients—water, spirits, sugar, lemon-juice, spice.
[58. UNDER GEORGE II. PART IV.]
Decorous: behaving in a decent and respectable way.
appreciation: estimate, judgment about.
congregation: gathering together.
Benjamin Franklin (born 1706, died 1790): a native of Boston, U.S.A., who lived for some time in England. As a scientist he is famous for electrical experiments; as a politician, for the share he took in upholding the independence of the American States.
transmission: handing down from father to son.
externally: outwardly.
St. Katharine's, Ratcliff, Shadwell, Stepney, are all in the East End of London.