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Inner-Barristers, perform a second solemn Revel 1 before them. Which ended, the Utter-Barristers take their places and sit down. Some of the Gentlemen of the Inner-Barr, do present the House with dancing, which is called the Post Revells* and continue their Dances, till the Judges or Bench think meet to rise and depart."
In 1594 there was a celebrated Christmas at Gray's Inn, of which an account was published under the title of " Gesta Grayorum," so called in consequence of the great popularity at that time of the Gesta Romanorum. The entertainments appear to have been heavy and pedantic in their nature, though suited to the style of the age. The concluding performance was a Masque before the Queen at Shrovetide, containing much of that flattery which prevailed in all exhibitions before her, being always expected by her. She was so much pleased with the performance, that on the courtiers dancing a measure after the Masque was ended, she exclaimed, " What! shall we have bread and cheese after a banquet ?" Mr. Henry Helmes was the prince chosen, who assumed the following style, and had a numerous court to support him.
" The High and Mighty Prince, Henry Prince of Purpoole, Arch-duke of Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke of High and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Blooms-bury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, Kentish-Town, Paddington and Knights-bridge, Knight of the most Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same."
These royal and public pageants allured many country gentlemen to the metropolis, who neglecting the comforts of their dependants in the country at this season, dissipated in town part of their means for assisting them, and incapacitated them- |
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