_Yorkshire Fun_.--The assizes and the theatre always open together at York,
and it is common to hear the Tykes say, "Eh, lad, ther'l be fun next week;
t'pla'ctors is cuming, and t'men's to be hung all at t'syame time."--
_Atlas_.

* * * * *


_Ancient Drunkenness in London_.--Andrews in his _History of Great
Britain_, says, "In the 16th century drinking had its votaries in
abundance. Much time was spent by the citizens of London at their numerous
taverns." In the country, if a bitter writer of the time, (Stub's
_Anatomie of Abuse_,) may find credit, every public-house was crowded from
morn till night with determined drunkards. Camden, who also allows the
increase of drunkenness among the English, imputes it to their familiarity
with the Flemings in the Low Country wars.

* * * * *


The taverns of London were many and much frequented. An old bard has
favoured us with a list of them in _Newes from Bartholomew Fayre_, a black
letter poem, the title page of which is torn off, viz.

"There hath been great sale and utterance of wine,
Besides beere, and ale, and ipocras fine,
In every country, region, and nation,
But chiefly in Billingsgate, at the Salutation;