Note 450 — NOTES ON ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. PART II. (continued 2)
Reading edition
London, August 4th, 1681. This day the Loyal Apprentices of this city, who made lately the humble address to his majesty, dined at Sadler's Hall. The king had been pleased to give them a brace of bucks, and many of the principal nobility, and other persons of quality, did them the honour to dine with them; there was a very handsome entertainment, managed with great order; and they intending to keep an annual feast, desired his grace the Duke of Grafton, and some others of the nobility, to be stewards for the next year." Gazette, No. 1640. Accordingly, the next year, the Duke of Grafton presided on the 9th August, 1682. This was one of the devices by which the court endeavoured to strengthen their ground in the city against Shaftesbury and Monmouth, and was much canvassed in the pamphlets, &c. of the time. In Luttrell's Collection, are the following poems on the 'Prentices feast:
"To the Loyal Company of Citizens met at Merchant Taylors' Hall."
"A Poem on the 'Prentices Feast (satirical.)"
"A Rejoynder to the Whiggish Poem, upon the Tory 'Prentices Feast at Merchant Taylors' Hall (ironical.)"
"An Answer to the Whiggish Poem, on the Loyal Apprentices Feast."
"Loyalty Rewarded, or a Poem on the Brace of Bucks bestowed on the Loyal Apprentices by his Majesty", (3d August, 1681.) Answered by the Boys whipt Home, or a Rythme upon the Apprentices Poem."
Poor boys! a brace of bucks was made their cheer, To show their courage hearted like a deer, Whose spreading horns foretell the future fates, Their wives shall fix upon their spreading pates.