Wetting the block

The first Monday in March was when country shoemakers stopped working by candlelight, and they used to meet that evening to wet the block. The master gave a supper, or money or drink, and the men and sometimes their customers paid the rest. After supper the block candlestick was set in the middle and the shop candle lit, and when every glass was filled the oldest hand poured his over the candle to put it out. The rest then drank standing and gave three cheers. A shoemaker who had seen it in Hampshire, Berkshire and the neighbouring counties told Hone it was dying out, and was glad of it.