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THE MIXICOLOGIST.
77
The Grace-cup and Loving-cup appear to be synony
mous terms for a beverage, the drinking of which has
been from time immemorial a great feature at the
corporation dinners in London and other large towns,
as also at the feasts of the varions trade companies
and the Inns of Court—the mixture of which is a
compound of wine and spices, formerly called "Sack,"
and is handed round the table, before the removal of
the cloth, in large silver cnps, from which no one is
allowed to drink before the gnest on either side of
him has stood iq); the person who drinks then rises
and bows to his neighbors. This custom is said to
have originated in the precaution to keep the right or
dagger hand employed, as it was a frequent practice
with the Danes to stab their companions in the back at
the time they were drinking. The most notable in
stance of this was the treachery employed by Elfrida,
who stabbed King Edward the Martyr at Corfe Castle
whilst thus engaged.
Beer Cups.
These cups should always be made with good sound
ale, but not too strong; and should invariably be drank
from tbe tankard, and not poured into glasses, as they
are generally more agreeable to the taste than to the
sight,and it is imperative that they should be kept hot.