Be that as it may, they resolved to give a dinner and
a ball at Leith, to which they formally invited all the young
noblemen and gentlemen that were at the races; and this
invitation was reinforced by an assurance that all the celebrated
ladies of pleasure would grace the entertainment with their
company. -- I received a card on this occasion, and went thither
with half a dozen of my acquaintance. -- In a large hall the cloth
was laid on a long range of tables joined together, and here the
company seated themselves, to the number of about fourscore,
lords, and lairds, and other gentlemen, courtezans and cawdies
mingled
together, as the slaves and their masters were in the time of the
Saturnalia in ancient Rome. -- The toast master, who sat at the
upper end, was one Cawdie Fraser, a veteran pimp, distinguished
for his humour and sagacity, well known and much respected in his
profession by all the guests, male and female, that were here
assembled. -- He had bespoke the dinner and the wine: he had taken
care that all his brethren should appear in decent apparel and
clean linen; and he himself wore a periwig with three tails in
honour of the festival.
Pages:
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414