July 19. A whimsical Affair happened lately at Vauxhall: Some Gentlemen were supping in one of the Pavilions, when all left their Places to hear a Song from the Orchestra except one, who was eating some Beef: As he sat, there came up to him a Gentleman, who, with an arch Leer asked him why he eat this Beef without Vinegar? He replied coolly, that he did not like Vinegar with Beef: The other said that was odd, and taking up the Vinegar Cruet, told him he must eat Vinegar with it, and immediately poured some into his Plate: The Gentleman expressed no Resentment, but said, he supposed he did this in Consequence of some Wager: The other replied no, but that he must, and should eat the Vinegar, which the Gentleman, to oblige him, did take a Piece of the Beef with Vinegar and eat it. This did not satisfy the other Gentleman, he insisted upon his eating all the Vinegar, which he not chusing to comply with, grew warm, expressed his Resentment, and told the other he could no longer bear the Joke, but must have Satisfaction for the Affront: The Friends of the Person who had acted so absurdly & rudely coming up at this Time, made up the Quarrel, and obliged their Friend to ask Pardon for the Insult, and then retired. Soon after, the Song being ended, the Company returned to their Friend, who told them the Story: They blamed him for putting up the Affront, and said they did not believe he had received such Acknowledgment, and insisted upon his asking Satisfaction again, or they would not stay in his Company. They soon met the other Party, and the aggrieved Gentleman told the Person who had affronted him, that his Friends would not permit him to receive the Acknowledgment he had made, but required of him to demand to fight him; on which an Officer in Company with the Challenged engaged in the Dispute, said his Friend had asked Pardon, and should therefore give no farther Satisfaction, especially as the Person who had been affronted had accepted his Acknowledgment; and that if any Gentleman among them dared dispute the Truth of this, or was not satisfied, he was himself ready to withdraw with him; on which they thought proper to drop the Affair and retreat.
