As the game at ombre is a satirical representation of the late war, so is the tea-table that ensues, of the council-table, and its consultations after the peace. By this he would hint, that all the advantages we have gained by our late extended commerce, are only coffee and tea, or things of no greater value. That he thought of the trade in this place, appears by the passage, which represents the sylphs particularly careful of the rich brocade; it having been a frequent complaint of our mercers, that French brocades were imported in great quantities. I will not say he means those presents of rich gold stuff suits, which were said to be made her majesty by the king of France, though I cannot but suspect that he glances at it.
Here this author (as well as the scandalous John Dunton) represents the ministry, in plain terms, taking frequent cups,
And frequent cups prolong the rich repast;
for it is manifest he meant something more than common coffee, by his calling it,
Coffee that makes the politician wise;
and by telling us, it was this coffee, that
Sent up in vapours to the baron's brain
New stratagems ——
I shall only farther observe, that it was at this tabic the lock was cut off; for where but at the councilboard should the barrier treaty be dissolved?
The ensuing contentions of the parties upon the loss of that treaty, are described in the squabbles following the rape of the lock; and this he rashly expresses without any disguise,
All side in parties ——
