punch.  Besides, it is plain, that the spread-eagle exhibits to us the perfect figure of a cross, which is a badge of Popery.  Then, as to the cock, he is well known to represent the French nation, our old and dangerous enemy.  The swan, who must of necessity cover the entire bowl with his wings, can be no other than the Spaniard, who endeavours to engross all the treasures of the Indies to himself.  The lion is indeed, the common emblem of Royal power, as well as the arms of England; but to paint him black, is perfect Jacobitism, and a manifest type of those who blacken the actions of the best Princes.  It is not easy to distinguish, whether the other fowl painted over the punch-bowl, be a crow or raven?  It is true, they have both been held ominous birds; but I rather take it to be the former; because it is the disposition of a crow, to pick out the eyes of other creatures; and often even of Christians, after they are dead; and is therefore drawn here, with a design to put the Jacobites in mind of their old practice, first to lull us asleep, (which is an emblem of Death) and then to blind our eyes, that we may not see their dangerous practices against the State.

To speak my private opinion, the least offensive picture in the whole set, seems to be the bear; because he represents ursa major, or the Great Bear, who presides over the North, where the Reformation first began, and which, next to Britain, (including Scotland and the north of Ireland) is the great protector of the Protestant religion.  But, however, in those signs where I observe the bear to be chained, I can’t help surmising a Jacobite contrivance, by which these traitors hint an earnest desire of using all true Whigs, as the predecessors did the primitive Christians; I mean, to represent us as bears, and then halloo their Tory dogs to bait us to death.

Thus I have given a fair account of what I dislike, in all those signs set over those houses that invite us to punch:  I own it was a matter that did not need explaining, being so very obvious to the most common understanding.  Yet, I know not how it happens, but methinks there seems a fatal blindness, to overspread our corporeal eyes, as well as our intellectual; and I heartily wish, I may be found a false prophet; for, these are not bare suspicions, but manifest demonstrations.

Therefore, away with those Popish, Jacobite, and idolatrous gew-gaws.  And I heartily wish a law were enacted, under severe penalties, against drinking any punch at all.  For nothing is easier, than to prove it a disaffected liquor.  The chief ingredients, which are brandy, oranges, and lemons, are all sent us from Popish countries; and nothing remains of Protestant growth but sugar and water.  For, as to biscuit, which formerly was held a necessary ingredient, and is truly British, we find it is entirely rejected.