On the whole, the evening was not very exciting and, apart from grandsonly fulminations and the resonant reading by Wollschläger, it consisted mainly of a string of reminiscences.

Then, when the Nippitatum, this Huf-cap (as they call it) and this nectar of lyfe, is ſet abroche, wel is he that can get the ſooneſt to it, and ſpend the moſt at it; for he that fitteth the cloſeſt to it, and ſpends the moſte at it, he is counted the godlieſt man of all the reſt; but who either cannot, for pinching pouertie, or otherwiſe, wil not ſtick to it, he is counted one deſtitute bothe of vertue and godlynes.

Who put the big light on? It's like Blackpool Illuminations in here!

a floatless ballcock