Literary Byways Part 11

Toasts and Toasting.

Toasting and drinking were more general half a century ago than they are at the present time. In the earlier years of the Queen's reign temperance, if not teetotalism, was, it is true, making headway, but in a great measure convivial customs were maintained, and toasting was popular. Books were published to supply suitable toasts, for public and private parties.

Such compilations must have been extremely useful to those who attended social gatherings, and were not able to express graceful and pithy sentiments.

We have before us a little work issued in London in 1847, under the t.i.tle of "The Social and Convivial Toast-Master; and Compendium of Sentiment."

It consists of prose and poetry arranged under various headings, such as Loyal and Patriotic, Naval and Military, Masonic, Baccha.n.a.lian, Amatory, Sporting, Political, Sentimental, and lastly, Miscellaneous. It cannot be without interest to reproduce from this rare volume a few examples of the toasts of the earlier Victorian era.

The opening section of the book is devoted to loyal and patriotic toasts.

The first toast is this:--

"Albert and Victoria; may their union be cemented by love and affection, and their Royal offspring adorn the station they are destined to fill."

A brief and popular toast was:--

"Church and Queen."

Another sentiment was:--

"Happiness to the Royal pair--Victoria and Albert."

A longer toast is as follows:--

"Here's a health to Her Majesty, Conversion to her enemies, And he that will not pledge her health I wish him neither wit nor wealth, Nor yet a rope to hang himself."

Another toast is to this effect:--

"Health to the Queen, prosperity to the people, and may the Ministry direct their endeavours to the public good rather than engage in party distinction."

A favourite sentiment was:--

"Great Britain's rising star, the Prince of Wales."

Many of the patriotic toasts ask for reforms:--

"A revision of the code of criminal laws."

At this period they were extremely severe.

"A speedy restoration of the rights of the people."

was another toast, and not a few related to Ireland.

"Truth for England and justice for Ireland"

is one, and another says:--

"The birthplace of wit, the home of hospitality--Ireland."

Patriotic toasts relating to Scotland are numerous, such as:--

"Scotland, the birthplace of valour--the country of worth."

"Scottish heroes; and may their fame live for ever."

A popular toast of the past was:--

"The independence of Greece and the memory of Byron."

The dislike to France by our fathers is plainly indicated in several sentiments:--

"May French principles never corrupt English manners."

It would appear from many of the toasts that the nation was weary of war and wanted peace and liberty. The plea for liberty occurs in many of the sentiments; it is the closing wish of the following:--

"May peace o'er Britain spread her wing, And commerce fill her ports with gold; May arts and science comfort bring, And liberty her sons enfold."

The naval and military toasts, as befits a nation that has gained glory in battles on sea and land, are on the whole good. A few examples only must suffice. How out of date our first appears in this age of ironclads:--

"Old England's wooden walls."

Here is a punning toast:--

"Sir Home Popham--and pop-home to all our enemies."

A nautical toast is:--

"To Nelson's memory here's a health, And to his gallant tars, And may our British seamen bold, Despite both wounds and scars, Make France and Spain, And all the main And all the foes to know, Britons reign o'er the main, While the stormy winds do blow."

Says another toast:--

"May the deeds never be forgot that were done at Trafalgar and Waterloo."

Wellington is not neglected in the toasts, but he is not so popular as Nelson. The feats of the Life Guards at Waterloo are remembered:--

"The Life Guards: that washed out in blood the blots of Piccadilly."

Another famous regiment is thus toasted:--

"The Scotch Greys: that made the Eagles look black."

Half a century ago was a toast which will find to-day a response in many hearts:--

"The Greeks: may they never fall under Turkish bondage."

Many of the masonic sentiments are fine; they are amongst the best in the book. Here is good teaching:--