Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor Of The Freemasons' Magazine .
There are Lodges of this society in various parts of the metropolis , and there is scarcely a corporation in England that has not a regular meeting of several of" its members , who consist of all ranks of people . The justices of the quorum are most frequently candidates , ancl they are seldom or never black-balled by the majority . Many of the members of the common council , who are not stimulated by party zeal , are also members of this laudable association .
Taciturnity and fumigation are now two essential requisites in a canditate , who must prove his qualifications previous to his being admitted . To be brief , this is neither more nor less than the Sleepy Club , so well known , though hitherto so . little celebrated . Every member of this society must immediately after supper take a pipe , and , whether it be lighted or not , clap it in his mouth ; and as it is an
invariable maxim with the sons of Morpheus , " that speaking spoils conversation , " he must nod in five minutes , and attain a secure snore in ten , at which signal he must open one eye , fill his glass , drink , and resume his former station . I have spent many very agreeable evenings in this worth }* society , whose plan is so healthful and peaceable , that it is to be wished it were still more numerous , and that it prevailed as much upon the continent as it does throughout England . The various good effects
that are derived from it cannot be enumerated ; but a few may-serve to point out its general beneficial tendency . In the first place , it preserves health by promoting sleep , so essential to the human frame , even in the midst of company ; so that a member of this society mio-ht at the same time be a member of the everlasting club , without injuring his constitution by sitting up . It prevents all altercation in politics or reliionparty disputes are unknownand peace and
trang , , quillity reigns around . All prophane or obscene talk is also avoided , and a man is sure never to reveal his secrets ( unless he talks in his dreams ) , an event frequently fata ! over a bottle . All scandal is abolished , and a perfect harmony ancl a general good understanding are on all sides established . This institution is said to owe its birth to , a certain dumb
philosopher , whose cynic virtue greatly distinguished him in the third olymp iad : it is certain , what he wanted iu loquacity he made up in judgment , by placing himself upon a par with his disciples , who , though they possessed tongues , did not make use of them . But we are indebted to Sir Walter Raleigh for bringing this society to its present degreeof perfectionas the badge of silencea pipewas at that
. , , , time either unknown or neglected : to the introduction then of that soporific herb , tobacco , we may ascribe the present flourishing state of the present worthy , prudent , and numerous society of Sleepers . Drowsy - Row , ¦ Aug . 9 , 1795 , , A MEMBER OF THE SLEEPY-CLUB , ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor Of The Freemasons' Magazine .
There are Lodges of this society in various parts of the metropolis , and there is scarcely a corporation in England that has not a regular meeting of several of" its members , who consist of all ranks of people . The justices of the quorum are most frequently candidates , ancl they are seldom or never black-balled by the majority . Many of the members of the common council , who are not stimulated by party zeal , are also members of this laudable association .
Taciturnity and fumigation are now two essential requisites in a canditate , who must prove his qualifications previous to his being admitted . To be brief , this is neither more nor less than the Sleepy Club , so well known , though hitherto so . little celebrated . Every member of this society must immediately after supper take a pipe , and , whether it be lighted or not , clap it in his mouth ; and as it is an
invariable maxim with the sons of Morpheus , " that speaking spoils conversation , " he must nod in five minutes , and attain a secure snore in ten , at which signal he must open one eye , fill his glass , drink , and resume his former station . I have spent many very agreeable evenings in this worth }* society , whose plan is so healthful and peaceable , that it is to be wished it were still more numerous , and that it prevailed as much upon the continent as it does throughout England . The various good effects
that are derived from it cannot be enumerated ; but a few may-serve to point out its general beneficial tendency . In the first place , it preserves health by promoting sleep , so essential to the human frame , even in the midst of company ; so that a member of this society mio-ht at the same time be a member of the everlasting club , without injuring his constitution by sitting up . It prevents all altercation in politics or reliionparty disputes are unknownand peace and
trang , , quillity reigns around . All prophane or obscene talk is also avoided , and a man is sure never to reveal his secrets ( unless he talks in his dreams ) , an event frequently fata ! over a bottle . All scandal is abolished , and a perfect harmony ancl a general good understanding are on all sides established . This institution is said to owe its birth to , a certain dumb
philosopher , whose cynic virtue greatly distinguished him in the third olymp iad : it is certain , what he wanted iu loquacity he made up in judgment , by placing himself upon a par with his disciples , who , though they possessed tongues , did not make use of them . But we are indebted to Sir Walter Raleigh for bringing this society to its present degreeof perfectionas the badge of silencea pipewas at that
. , , , time either unknown or neglected : to the introduction then of that soporific herb , tobacco , we may ascribe the present flourishing state of the present worthy , prudent , and numerous society of Sleepers . Drowsy - Row , ¦ Aug . 9 , 1795 , , A MEMBER OF THE SLEEPY-CLUB , ;