E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Grace Cup
or Loving Cup. The larger tankard passed round the table after grace. It is still seen at the Lord Mayor’s feasts, at college, and occasionally in private banquets.
1
The proper way of drinking the cup observed at the Lord Mayor’s banquet or City companies’ is to have a silver bowl with two handles and a napkin. Two persons stand up, one to drink and the other to defend the drinker. Having taken his draught, he wipes the cup with the napkin, and passes it to his “defender,” when the next person rises to defend the new drinker. And so on to the end.
The proper way of drinking the cup observed at the Lord Mayor’s banquet or City companies’ is to have a silver bowl with two handles and a napkin. Two persons stand up, one to drink and the other to defend the drinker. Having taken his draught, he wipes the cup with the napkin, and passes it to his “defender,” when the next person rises to defend the new drinker. And so on to the end.
