The Ceremony of making a Buffalo is very simple, yet extremely ludicrous, and productive of great laughter.
The “uncommonly big gentleman” at the request of Logic had consented to become one of the members of this most eccentric Society which is composed of numerous Performers, and other comical wights” resident in the Metropolis, for the observation of Jerry. The artist has with considerable spirit and fidelity, represented in the plate the initiation of a person intended to become a Buffalo. He is seated on a chair in the middle of the room, with a bandage placed over his eyes.
The initiated Buffaloes are waiting outside the door, the orator being decorated with a wig for the occasion. On a given signal, they all enter the room, with what they term the Kangaroo Leap, and jump around the chair of the “degraded wretch” as the victim is termed.
At the Harp” in Great Russell Street opposite Drury Lane Theatre, the Buffalo Society was first established in August 1822, by an eccentric young man of the name of Joseph Lisle, an artist, in conjunction with Mr W. Sinnett a comedian to perpetuate, according to their ideas upon the subject, that hitherto neglected ballad of “We’ll chase the Buffalo”.
SONG
Come, all you young fellows who’s a mind for to range,
Unto some foreign country, your station for to change.
Your Station for to change, away from here to go,
Thro’ the wild woods we’ll wander and chase the Buffalo.
CHORUS
We’ll lay down on the banks of the pleasant shady Wo,
Thro’ the wild woods we’ll wander to chase the Buffalo
This is succeeded by a solemn march, and the following chant, the Buffaloes carrying brooms, shovels, mops, and a large kettle by way of a kettledrum:
Bloody head and raw-bones,
Bloody head and raw-bones
Be not Perplex’d This is the text,
Bloody head and raw-bones.
The charge is then given to the “victim” by the Primo Buffo, accompanied by the most extravagant and ridiculous gestures: “Degraded wretch! Miserable ashantee! Unfortunate individual! At least, you were so, not a quarter of an hour since.
You are now entitled to divers privileges: you may masticate, denticate, chump, grind, swallow, and devour, in all turnip fields, meadows, and pastures; and, moreover, you have the especial privilege of grazing in Hyde Park. Think of that, my Buffalo! You may also drink at all the lakes, rivers, canals, and ponds not forgetting the Fleet and lower ditches, You are entitled to partake of all public dinners (upon your paying for the same).
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