The sketch-book of Geoffrey Crayon, gent[pseud.] together with Abbotsford and other selections from the writings of Washington Irving .. . tis in convivio. 5. Though prepared to witness many of these little eccen-tricities, from being apprised of the peculiar hobby of minehost, yet, I confess, the parade with which so odd a dish wasintroduced somewhat perplexed me, until I gathered from theconversation of the Squire and the parson, that it was meantto represent the bringing in of the boars head : a dish formerlyserved up with much ceremony and the sound of minstrelsyand song, at great tables,
The sketch-book of Geoffrey Crayon, gent[pseud.] together with Abbotsford and other selections from the writings of Washington Irving .. . tis in convivio. 5. Though prepared to witness many of these little eccen-tricities, from being apprised of the peculiar hobby of minehost, yet, I confess, the parade with which so odd a dish wasintroduced somewhat perplexed me, until I gathered from theconversation of the Squire and the parson, that it was meantto represent the bringing in of the boars head : a dish formerlyserved up with much ceremony and the sound of minstrelsyand song, at great tables, on Christmas day. I like the oldcustom, said the Squire, not merely because it is statelyand pleasing in itself, but because it was observed at thecollege at Oxford at which I was educated. When I hear theold song chanted, it brings to mind the time when I was youngand gamesome, — and the noble old college-hall, — and myfellow-students loitering about in their black gowns; many ofwhom, poor lads, are now in their graves! 6. The parson, however, whose mind was not haunted bysuch associations, and who was always more taken up with. Bringing in the Boars Head 80 THE SKETCH-BOOK the text than the sentiment, objected to the Oxonians versionof the carol; which he affirmed was different from that sungat college. He went on, with the dry perseverance of a com-mentator, to give the college reading, accompanied by sundryannotations; addressing himself at first to the company atlarge; but finding their attention gradually diverted to othertalk and other objects, he lowered his tone as his number ofauditors diminished, until he concluded his remarks in anundervoice, to a fat-headed old gentleman next him, who wassilently engaged in the discussion of a huge plateful of turkey.^7. The table was literally loaded with good cheer and pre-sented an epitome of country abundance, in this season ofoverflowing larders. A distinguished post was allotted toancient sirloin,^ as mine host termed it;
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidsketchbookofgeof14irvi
