Sir,—As harvest has began in various counties, I beg leave to give you a description of what is called the “harvest supper,” in Essex, at the conclusion of the harvest.
After the conclusion of the harvest, a supper is provided, consisting of roast beef and plum pudding, with plenty of strong ale, with which all the men who have been employed in getting in the corn regale themselves. At the beginning of the supper, the following is sung by the whole of them at the supper.
Here’s a health to our master,
The lord of the feast,
God bless his endeavours,
And send him increase;
May prosper his crops, boys,
That we may reap another year,
Here’s your master’s good health, boys,
Come, drink off your beer.
After supper the following:—
Now harvest is ended and supper is past,
Here’s our mistress’s good health, boys,
Come, drink a full glass;
For she is a good woman, she provides us good cheer,
Here’s your mistress’s good health, boys,
Come, drink off your beer.
The night is generally spent with great mirth, and the merry-makers seldom disperse till “Bright Phœbus has mounted his chariot of day.”
I am, &c.
An Essex Man and Subscriber.
It is the advice of the most popular of our old writers on husbandry, that—