Select vestry comforts [graphic]

"Eight of the select vestry of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, dine in the Vestry Room, while the beadle blocks the doorway on the extreme right, saying, You can't come in now--the "Select" are engaged. A parson, identified as Dr. Richards, is in the chair at the head of the table; mopping his bald head he says blandly: "Dont be afraid of the viands, Gentlemen--although our fatigues are great, I hope we shall convince the parishioners we can do our duties at the table if we do not at the Board. Decanters of Port and Sherry, a ham, and a turkey are on the table; a dwarfish footman brings in a dish of ducks. A second footman oafishly holds out a glass of wine to the chairman, spilling the contents of a soup plate on to the head of a guzzling fellow gnawing a bone, who is identified as Alderman Winchester. The latter's neighbour eats with a knife; all but the parson-chairman appear ill-bred; one turns aside to vomit. The parson's vis-à-vis, identified as Mr. Staunton, leans back in his chair, asleep with food on his fork, while a spectacled doctor, identified as Dr. Morgan (not a guest) proffers a bottle of Rose Water. From the pocket of a gross and carbuncled man, identified as Mr. Thompson, hangs a paper: Hush-Money from certain Brothells, Flash-Houses &c &c. He drinks, putting his foot on that of a small man, 'Fentum', who stares at him knowingly. On the left is a large scroll: Items of Expences--for visiting the pauper Children --Dinner & dessert--£9"9"0, Lemon--0"1"0 Ten bottles Bucellas--3"0"0. Two do Sherry--0"12"0 Punch--0"12"0 Four bot: Champagne 2"8"0 Soda-- 0"16"0 Rose Water 0"2"0 Ice for Wine--0"2"0 12 bots Port--3"12"0 5 bots Sauterne 2"0"0 Broken Glass--0"5"6 Tea & Coffee--1"7"0 3 Servants food 0"7"6 Waiters 0"9"0 Coaches 8"11"6--34"12"6. On the wall hangs a large notice: Select Resolutions. Ist Resolved That when the minds of the Select" are engaged in Parochial affairs thier bodies must also be supported. 2nd. That, the "Select" shall have absolute power over their fellow parishioners to impose any rate or tax on them (the parishioners) which they (the "Select") shall think proper. 3rd. That, the Selet [sic] shall not submit their books to the inspection of the parishioners, nor render any account in any manner for the waste & expenditure of the aforesaid parishioners Money. By order of the "Select Anthy Absolute (Secty) On the wall are also a clock, pointing to 5.50, and a framed picture of a smallish house: British Pauper Children Asylum."--British Museum online catalogue