Coffee-house jests. Refined and enlarged. By the author of the Oxford jests. The fourth edition, with large additions. This may be re-printed, Feb. 25. 1685. R.P.

311.

Some Oxford Scholars when they did intend to perform that Journey called Iter Boreale went first to Worcestershire, then-through Shropshire, Cheshire, Lanca∣shire, Westmoreland and Cumberland, and so to Dumfrees, and then to Glascow, and having seen the Western parts of Scotland came then toward the East, viz. To St. Johnsons, Dundee, St. Andrews, Edinbourgh, Dunbar, and Barwick, and so came into England East-wards: from thence to New-castle, Durham, York, Hull, and over the arm of the Sea at Hull, which is six miles

broad there, into Lincolnshire, and so to Norfolk: and being in the City of Norwich at an Inn, and their Money after so long a journey running low: it seems in the morn∣ing the Landlord brought 'em up a sawcy Reckoning, which they perusing shakt their heads, and well they might, for they could not shake their Purses then: Then says the Landlord to them, Gentlemen I see you'r Scholards, and if you can but tell me how I may be eased of a great trouble which lies upon me, I will give you a Gallon of Sack. They askt him what is was? He told 'em, he was so infinitely troubled with Rats, that they destroyed most of the Goods in his House.

Well, says the Scholars, bring up your Gallon of Wine, and we'll give you a remedy for your trouble of the Rats, which if you follow, we'll warrant you they'll never trouble you more: and that is this, The first thing you must do, is to prepare a great Supper, and then invite all the Rats you have in the House to that Supper, and in the morning do but bring them up such a Bill as you have brought to us and if they trouble your House more I'll be h••••g'••. Well Gentlemen, says he, I see you want Mony, I will, if you please to accept of it, le••d you Five Pound and excu••e you the paying of your Bill ••••ill

three months after your arrival into Oxford, and before that time I'll send my Son to receive that and the Five pound, and do intend he shall stay at what Colledge you please, but I must have one of you to be his Tutor.

And about six weeks after the Son came, and was admitted into Christs-Church Colledge, of which Colledge those Iter-borealeans were: of which kindness for the Mony lent, and excusing the Bill, these Scholars made an excellent Copy of Verses, and sent it to their Landlord in Norwich and Forty Shillings to drink their Healths, which was done so to the purpose, that they were all fain to be led to Bed that night.